Environmental architecture education : a comparative study between the curricula of Kuwait University and Newcastle University with reflection on policy making and end users
PhD ThesisThis study investigates how, if at all, sustainable architecture education is
practised in the Department of Architecture at Kuwait University. The thesis
begins with the development of sustainable design and a brief history of
education in Kuwait. Furthermore, it includes a critical discussion of
architectural education theory, the role of architecture bodies in regulating both
the profession, and architecture education competencies.
The thesis begins with a background of the history of education, architectural
education from apprenticeship level to formal Higher Education, the initiation of
architecture accrediting bodies, and how environmental concepts were
introduced into the curriculum through architecture accrediting bodies.
The thesis exhibits different cases of theoretical approaches of architecture
education, beginning with the UK, in which the political situation is a major
driving force behind environmental education, and shifting to architecture
education in SAPL, America (Texas A&M University), Kuwait University and
Australian Sydney University., The different case studies also contribute to the
debate about whether architecture schools, due to their different educational
approaches, should be more strongly linked to other fields of study such as
engineering and/or sociology, biology, building services, etc.
The thesis displays the actual methods used in collecting field data, a summary
of data analysis results using graphs, charts, etc., with more details of raw
material included in the appendix section.
The thesis identifies and discusses the influences upon sustainable architecture
including policy, regulations, market forces, etc. These influences are identified
as part of the three drivers of sustainability; environment, economy and society.
It further concludes by linking the drivers of sustainable architecture with the
attainment of sustainable architecture in Kuwait by implementing policies
promoting it in accordance with international environmental policies and
strategies.
The thesis constructs a thorough argument for a new teaching environment for
sustainable architecture in Kuwait drawn from the data analysis results and architecture education theories examined within. The recommended
architecture education delivered provides a diagram of curriculum
recommendations, and new teaching, learning and assessment methods within
the right environment. Indicators to monitor the success of the proposed
approach are included.
The final recommendation of the research thesis provides a constructive
description of the overall study, the key findings and the implications of the
research, with a suggested framework for future research into curriculum
development.Ministry of Education and Higher Education in
Kuwai