Alternative Architecture Education
Architectural education in Syria has historically balanced between civil engineering and fine arts, primarily focusing on architectural design with limited connection to external subjects. The Syrian crisis disrupted higher education, leading to the migration of teachers and students, a decline in educational resources, and direct threats on campuses. In response, IWlab has engaged with architectural education program not only for university students but also for children. From Mabar: Education for Children to Urbegony Initiative, the activities in the education program provided a space for critique and reflection on dynamic changes in Syrian cities, often influenced by violence, allowing students to express their perspectives through architectural tools.
Urbegony is an online education platform that works with architecture students in Damascus and other Syrian cities. Through tutoring programmes, the platform works with students on personal and extracurricular projects where tools from architectural expression such as drawings, maps and models are used for expressing feelings and ideas about their neighbourhoods, homes, destructions, or asylums.
Architecture Education and Children