Architecture’s North Star: Developing a holistic framework for architectural education in a UK-based institution

Jones, Matthew; Bassindale, Jonathan

Abstract

Architectural education is undergoing a transformative shift. The restructuring of validation and prescription by professional bodies, increasing demands on resources, a greater emphasis on the well-being of students and staff, and a critical focus on ethical, societal, and environmental challenges are presenting new opportunities for innovation in curriculum and pedagogy. To meet these challenges, long-established learning and teaching approaches must evolve.
At the authors’ institution, these shifts are being supported by the design and introduction of a holistic curriculum framework. This initiative aims to unify the pedagogy across five undergraduate and two postgraduate programs, addressing the evolving demands of the profession and the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, social inequality, and climate migration. The framework also seeks to align with the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) and the International Union of Architects’ (UIA) emphasis on developing technical skills, creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the cultivation of attitudes, values, and behaviours necessary to respond to global challenges.

The framework aims to simultaneously develop students’ competencies—the skills and knowledge needed for future practice—and their capabilities, fostering personal and professional growth as empathetic, ecologically sensitive, globally minded, and socially responsible citizens. Learning is seen as a journey toward becoming, involving the transformation of the self over time. By fostering a curriculum that combines professional competencies with global citizenship capabilities, the North Star framework aspires
to prepare graduates who can effectively respond to the dynamic demands of the architectural profession and contribute positively to society.

This paper discusses the development and testing of the North Star framework before describing its implementation through the pedagogy and curriculum of a postgraduate degree program. It advocates for a shift from traditional pedagogical methods to more collaborative, multidisciplinary, and student-led approaches.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: Nurture: Cultivating Care, Creativity and Collaboration in Architecture.
• Start Date: Jul 9, 2025
• End Date: Jul 12, 2025
• Publication Date: Jul 11, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jul 12, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/14695598