The Impact of Designing Real-World Buildings and Spaces as an Educational Tool in Developing Creative Thinking Skills Among Future Designers

HUSSEIN, MARWA; Mahmoud Kalil, Dalia; Mohammed, Hanan Suliman Eissa

doi:10.21608/mjaf.2025.387176.3716

The Impact of Designing Real-World Buildings and Spaces as an Educational Tool in Developing Creative Thinking Skills Among Future Designers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Interior Design Department , Applied Arts Faculty, Helwan University, Egypt

² faculty of applied arts Helwan university

³ Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University

10.21608/mjaf.2025.387176.3716

Abstract

Contemporary educational theories posit that creativity transcends mere innate talent, functioning as a structured, learnable, and developable competency. This is particularly salient in design disciplines like architecture and interior design, where practitioners must navigate material and technical limitations while also addressing users' behavioral, cultural, and psychological needs within a given space. A persistent issue in design education is the gap between theoretical understanding and its practical application to complex, real-world design problems. This research investigates the potential of integrating creative thinking strategies into design curricula through direct involvement in real-world projects to better prepare students for the professional arena. The study operates on the premise that structured exposure to genuine environmental and societal challenges fosters innovation, increases student engagement, and provides them with practical tools for resolving design issues.

Employing a rigorous and systematic applied research approach, this study meticulously monitored and evaluated the academic journey and project outcomes of a dedicated group of interior design students enrolled at Taibah University in the vibrant city of Madinah. These students actively participated in a range of thoughtfully curated, community-focused design projects. These projects were specifically designed to address genuine and pressing spatial and functional needs identified within the university campus itself and extending into the broader urban fabric of Madinah. Throughout this experiential learning process, students were actively encouraged to critically identify existing design deficiencies and to proactively propose innovative and contextually appropriate solutions that were sensitive to the local cultural and environmental nuances. The compelling findings of this research unequivocally confirm that direct, hands-on work on real-world spaces yields a significant and measurable enhancement in students' creative thinking abilities, their proficiency in tackling complex spatial problem-solving scenarios, and their overall satisfaction with the educational experience. These findings strongly support the assertion that such innovative pedagogical models not only contribute to the refinement of essential technical and conceptual skills but also play a vital role in cultivating a new generation of design professionals who are well-equipped to make meaningful and impactful contributions to the evolution of the built environment and the betterment of society as a whole.

Keywords

Main Subjects