Exposure To Examples

Although often specifically education-oriented, Case-Based Design systems rarely have become widely used tools in schools of architecture. The primary goal of our study was therefore to explore the effects of using cases in architectural education. Exposing students to examples is not generally applauded by design teachers, as it is thought to increase the danger of design fixation. Only few view cases as a vital basis for creativity. A more specific goal of our study was thus to investigate whether cases either limit or improve creative design solutions. In the study, 2nd year architecture students had to design an entrance hall for an apartment building. Half of them had access to entrance hall projects of previous years, the other half did not. Analysis of students’ designs revealed some interesting effects. In particular, the probability of getting a higher score for the concept, the choice of materials and colors, and the creative character of their project, was positively influenced by exposure to examples. Yet, this positive influence only occurred for the more skilled and motivated students.