Ethics and Conscience: An Integral Part of Architectural Design Education

Abstract

The concepts of ethics and conscience are integral elements of architectural design education. Conscience as a guide to the ethical behavior is seen as one of the instincts which helped people to build societies, communities and cities. This attribute makes conscience and ethics essential for architecture. The process of becoming an architect through its extraordinary architectural studio experience, gives us the chance to develop hope for a better world, by creating new solutions. The discussion of architectural programs focusing on the conception of future, choices stressing values, dualities coping with ambiguity and dilemmas leading to ethics are suggested themes. Through the integration of these themes into our studio discussions, the concepts of ethics and conscience can become an integral part of design education.