Integrating technology-oriented applications as learning tools in design education: Futuristic perspectives within the context of the design studio course

Space is a multilayered phenomenon that plays a fundamental role in shaping human existence on both physical and cognitive levels. Interior design as a discipline directly related to spatial design, approaches space from a holistic perspective by considering its social, cultural, psychological, and functional dimensions. Design studio courses, which hold a central position in interior architecture education, are traditionally conducted through classical approaches. However, technological advancements, societal transformations, and intergenerational differences necessitate a redefinition of the design studio structure. This study aims to establish a framework for the educational and spatial dimensions of the "futuristic design studio" as a forward-looking educational model. The research employed a mixed-methods design; in the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics and students, complemented by word–concept association and card-sorting techniques in the workshop. In the quantitative phase, neurometric measurements were used to analyze students' cognitive responses. The findings indicate that the futuristic design studio will be shaped as a technology-based, multisensory, interdisciplinary, experience-oriented, and virtual assistant–supported model. Neurometric data further highlighted the significance of fostering a future- oriented perspective within the educational process. In conclusion, within the context of the futuristic studio, the study has enabled the development of technology-oriented adaptive models and proposed a methodological framework that holistically examines technology-based, functional, and experience-oriented approaches.