The ideal application venue in architectural education: An analysis through leading faculties on a global scale

Interior design is not merely a discipline grounded in theory; rather, it is a process of constructing space through the creative integration of knowledge and experience acquired from various fields. Spaces become functional when they are planned to meet the physical and psychological needs of users. Therefore, it is considered essential for interior design students to experience both theoretical and practical components within their education in order to comprehend the multifaceted nature of the discipline. In this context, the present study aims to highlight the significance of practice in interior design education and to identify the key considerations for designing and utilizing practice spaces in an ideal manner. Accordingly, leading faculties worldwide that offer interior design programs were examined to understand how they position practice within their curricula and how they plan the spaces that serve as the backdrop for practical work. Through the analysis of design and usage details, an attempt has been made to draw a framework for the concept of the "ideal practice space." To this end, a literature review was first conducted to establish the theoretical framework, followed by preparatory work for interviews with pioneering faculties. In the analysis phase, data obtained from these interviews and from the official websites of the faculties were evaluated through document analysis and space syntax analysis. The findings revealed that all faculties in the sample placed emphasis on practice-oriented spaces; however, notable differences were observed among them in terms of the diversity of these spaces and their operational systems. Consequently, recommendations regarding the design and utilization of practice spaces in interior design education were developed. This study was supported by the Karadeniz Technical University Scientific Research Projects Unit under project number FYL-2024-11271.