AN EXERCISE IN BLENDED LEARNING FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 
School Name: School of Architecture & IIC REVA University  
Number of Students: 74  
Date: 12.02.2020        
Venue: Saugandhika Stage and Gazebos, REVA University 

Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.”
― Pablo Picasso, Pablo Picasso: Metamorphoses of the Human Form: Graphic Works, 1895-1972 

Architectural design is a course that hinges on creativity, critical thinking, logical reasoning and above all a passion to bring into fruition the idea into reality. The 4th semester students were introduced to the problem in an innovative manner, by displacing them from the usual environment of the classroom, and placing them in the open sylvan grounds of Saugandhika.  

Introduction to Problem Statement: The problem statement is to design a Youth Centre for the city of Bangalore that will encompass Sports facilities, performance spaces, workshop spaces, café, open air auditorium and recreational spaces apart from club rooms for various activities. The design brief was tailored to suit the students’ age group so as to come up with a built space that they could most identify with. 

The Methodology: The initial discussion was participatory in nature, with students opening up about the kind of spaces they need in the City that bring in equity and give them freedom to be themselves. The studio coordinators then gave the task of creating a work of Art that reflects the essence of what YOUTH means to them. Students were also free to create a piece of Music set to lyrics that reflects this thought. The students were completely engaged in the task for the next 3 hours, finding inspiration from the lush grounds of the Saugandhika lined with the trees that stood tall in the morning light. Others found nooks and spots in the Gazebo and stage to sit down with their guitar and strum along the lyrics penned that symbolize what a Youth Centre should stand for.

Faculty Mediation: The studio coordinators then initiated a one to one discussion with each student to interpret the art creation into a word that can most describe the idea. The words that emerged were Energy, Freedom, Fluidity, Dominance, Power, Fluctuation, Equality, Unity and many more. Each student was able to abstract the word into an art composition. The team of students who chose to express themselves through music composed a piece called “The House of the Young”, set it to music and performed the same in front of their peers. 

Teaching-Learning Outcomes: The entire exercise in the outdoors was a refreshing change for the students as well as studio coordinators, who were surprised to see the output and thinking process of students who are under performers and do not push their boundaries within the confines of the classroom. It was these students who had powerful and innovative ideas. The entire process was an initial exercise to trigger the Concept development process which will reflect in the form of the Youth Centre.  

We thank the Honorable Chancellor for providing such open spaces within the campus where students are free to express themselves. We are thankful to Director Dr. Vimala Swamy for encouraging faculty members to carry out such sensorial learning exercises that alleviate the boredom of traditional Classroom learning among students.  
 
Photographs from the Studio, en Plein air!

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