Workshops as an Informal Learning Environments: Konya Architecture Festival Example

Authors : Hatice Sena Azkur, Murat Oral

Pages : 270-282

View : 57 | Download : 63

Publication Date : 2024-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Workshops have an important place in terms of being informal learning environments for architectural education. The fact that they are open-ended and that the creative environment is not limited distinguishes workshops from the rigid structure of formal education. Workshops, which are short-term and intensive training and production environments, are highly productive activities thanks to the voluntary participation of people. Cultural exchange between participants increases and a natural sharing environment is created. The resulting products are not the product of one person but of ideas shared in a natural sharing environment. Konya Architecture Festival is held every year on World Architecture Day, with various workshops and exhibitions, organized by the Konya Chamber of Architects. \\\"Second Chance: Upcycling\\\" workshop, one of the 15 different workshops carried out within the scope of the 2023 Konya Architecture Festival. Architecture students from different classes and universities participated in the “Second Chance: Upcycling” workshop. Within the scope of the workshop, an artwork was produced by the group using waste materials that the students had previously obtained from their environment and waste materials collected from the festival area during the workshop. Students were encouraged to “learn by doing” by applying the design and art knowledge they learned in formal education previously with waste materials within the scope of the workshop. Thus, learning in an informal environment took place in a way that supported formal learning. Participants answered the survey questions after the festival. The results show that the urban green area where the festival takes place increases the participants\\\' motivation. In addition, it was seen in the survey results that students\\\' awareness about upcycling increased, and a more entertaining learning environment was created compared to theoretical learning.
Keywords : mimarlık festivali, informal öğrenme, ileri dönüşüm, Mimari atölyeler