Explaining the Environmental Components of Architecture Vocational Schools in Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills, Design Thinking, and Ideation Ability (Students’ Cognitive Skills)

Abstract

The educational environment is one of the fundamental contexts shaping the quality of education and the development of professional competencies among students in architecture vocational schools. This study aimed to explain the role of environmental factors in architecture vocational schools in enhancing students’ problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ideation abilities. The study adopted an analytical qualitative approach based on library research. The required data were collected and analyzed through a review of books, domestic and international scholarly articles, and relevant sources in the fields of architectural education and learning-space design. The findings indicate that the quality of educational spaces, specialized design workshops and studios, facilities and equipment, up-to-date technologies, lighting, ventilation, spatial organization, and educational interactions are among the most important environmental components affecting the development of students’ professional competencies. Dynamic, flexible, and well-equipped educational environments provide a supportive context for fostering creativity, strengthening design thinking, enhancing problem-solving skills, and expanding ideation capabilities. Overall, improving the environmental components of architecture vocational schools can facilitate the enhancement of the teaching–learning process and contribute to the development of creative, competent, and problem-oriented students.