| The purpose of this research is to explore the integration of sustainability and green building themes into formal architectural education. Because there has been limited research surrounding this topic, a grounded theory approach is used to conduct this study. This research is rooted in social constructivism, ontologically based in relativism and epistemologically in naturalistic inquiry, understanding that the individual experiences of the faculty members are rooted in context and personal history. In depth interviews were held with selected participants, each of whom are popularly perceived as leaders in green building and sustainability in architectural education. Through a cyclical coding process, themes emerged from the interviews, and ultimately centered around two core categories at two different levels: Student Engagement at the instructional methods level, and a Revisioning of the Field at the philosophical level. These themes and their implications are explored in depth in the context of methods, opportunity, and barriers in architectural coursework, programs and larger university structures. This study concludes with possible avenues for further research regarding the integration of new themes in architectural education. |
