Educating smart materials

Abstract

Our daily environment is clearly occupied by digital technologies, which influence the way we behave, move, or interact with one another. In order for architects to keep up with continuous technological advancement and be prepared for upcoming challenges and uncertainties they need to be educated in the use of new technologies and possess skills in interdisciplinary exchange. Especially in respect to the application of new materials, which often stem from areas like materials science, biology, or chemistry, architects not only need an understanding of discipline-specific distinctions but especially be literate in a shared way of expression. The following article presents a didactic model for integrative and explorative smart material education as a means to enrich existing educational frameworks. Yet rather than prescribing a particular method or predefined solution the focus of this idea is on providing open access to information and suggest a broad range of relevant possibilities. The students are thus not taught “what-to-do” but instead encouraged to learn “how-to-do” by offering a stable and rich framework for independent self-development.