Addressing othering in architecture education: Learning ethics and empathy

“The talent of imagining human situations is more important for an architect than the gift of fantasizing spaces.” Aulis Blomstedt quoted by Juhani Pallasmaa 1 This paper posits that ethics and empathy are needed in architecture education, not only in professional practice courses, but throughout the entire curriculum. Research shows that students are more successful and engaged when ethics, empathy, and even agency are included in architecture education. Issues like lack of empathy from faculty-to-student, student-to-student, and student-to- client/community partner will be discussed. Case studies will be presented that show ideas that were explored in undergraduate design studios to impart empathy and ethics using agency to better prepare students. The methodology used in these design studios will also be presented and the results of the explorations will be shared. These methods include discussions about inherent bias, exercises in role- playing, reflections, and pre- and post-surveys to gauge student perceptions and what is learned through these studio experiences.