Production of Space Through Action and Body in First Year Architectural Education

Abstract

The recent sociological and technological developments have considerably changed the way we deal with “space” as an architectural concept. It is not considered merely a physical state anymore since it has evolved into a concept also related to abstract properties obtained through life experiences. Similarly, designed space is a limit set for actions and users (body), and it should be considered together with other components. This notional transformation affects our perception of space, our production methods and inevitably the design of architectural education. At this point, the program to be followed in the first year of architecture departments, as an introduction to profession, is important since it might provide the very first environment where they learn how to make causal reasoning, how to question, how to be creative and how to look at life from a different perspective. The inclusion of new interpretations and productions of “space” and approaches accompanied with action and body interaction into first year programs of architecture departments enables students to make their unique and original interpretations about current architecture knowledge.

In this study, the approaches questioning the relationship between space and experience through body and action will be discussed in relation to the related studies within the scope of the first-year design studios at Eskisehir Technical University, Department of Architecture in 2018-2019 academic year. The scope of these practices include content through which one can produce interactive and experimental spaces that are in harmony with actions, question the role of body and allow flexible applications within the framework of an experienced space idea. How practices are constructed, learning processes and learning outcomes will be presented. In the light of the data obtained, ideas and approaches regarding the production of space will be questioned in the context of Bernard Tschumi's thoughts on the relationship between action, body and space.