Storytelling as a learning tool in creative education: A case study in an architecture design studio

Abstract

This paper investigates the significant aspects of storytelling, when used as a pedagogical method to enhance students critical and creative thinking and communicative technique, by applying it to first-year students in the architecture design studio. Creativity is a substantial part of architectural education as it improves students’ design processes in innovative ways. This paper considers how the architecture design studio can form a creative design solution that can be learned and developed by learner-centred activity; it concentrates on aspects of storytelling, which many scholars have begun to discuss its significance in creative education. Thus, this paper aims to develop a creative learning strategy for use in the architecture design studio and suggest a new learning method by engaging storytelling in the design process. This paper starts with discussions about storytelling and its usages in the architecture design studio, referring to several theorists and educators, particularly focusing on McDrury and Alterio (2003); it helps to create a framework and develop a curriculum for the architecture design studio. The overall results suggest that using storytelling as a learning method in an architecture design studio is important in contextualising and articulating design work, from ideas to analysis, visualisation and expression, in a coherent context. It helps students gain better design skills and a greater understanding of the design process across the disciplines of the design studio, improving students creative thinking during the unique design process.