Date of Submission
Spring 5-9-2023
Degree Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Arief Setiawan
Abstract
Education is a vital foundation of a society. The standard of today’s school environment is built upon the pedigree of the factory schools from the nineteenth century. However, elementary age children require a flexible, engaging, and creative learning environment that the standard school environment does not provide. Learning is a dynamic and innovative action. Architecture should mirror the learning that it supports through providing spaces that allow for flexibility, engagement, accessibility, and attraction. Children are transformed by the spaces they are in, spaces that will leave lasting impacts on the cognitive development of the children, spaces that can be playful and imaginative for learning. By looking at how play is beneficial in children's cognitive growth and the crucial role that architecture plays in supporting the learning processes, this research aims to explore the architecture of play as a means to support the children's learning processes and cognitive growth. What are design strategies to create architecture that facilitate dynamic learning and pedagogy? What are ways that the physical space can stimulate playful learning through the senses, tactics, and imagination of the children? Constructivist psychological theorists Piaget and Vygotsky argued that children’s cognitive development occurs within physical and social environments. In relation to the notion of learning by doing, promoted by Froebel, Dewey, and Montessori - the benefits of learning-by-doing are refined physical motor skills, improved bonding within relationships, confident self-expression, communication, language, greater independence, and creative problem-solving and thinking. Learning-by-play predisposes a child with the practice of learning-by-doing at an early age, curating a life-long impact. Besides researching pedagogical approaches and theories, this research examines examples of successful designs of school for children. Architecturally, learning-by-play allows children to explore their environment freely, enjoying the physical and temporal space through senses and imagination.
Included in
Architecture Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Elementary Education Commons, School Psychology Commons