Abstract

This paper examines data contributed by the three Australian architectural faculties in Australia, covering the study years 1-5 between 2003-2007, to ascertain how architectural design studios (ADS) engage with the “real world”. It does this by looking at the initial written material offered to students describing the project or theme of the studio. The aim of this investigation is to ascertain a general typology of problems investigated in ADS with an emphasis on how the problem is presented—its breadth. A first level of exploration deals with the degree in which the problem reflects the reality of architectural practice, a second level of examination explores the scope of the suggested methods of investigation and a third level of exploration deals with the typology of objectives and commentary. This paper addresses the issues raised in the investigation of the first level. The premise is that without a systematic engagement with reality, what makes architectural design studio an attractive and an important method for learning, might also be a device for the distancing of that learning from its ultimate alleged goal as a ‘profession’, a service to society.