The relevance of art-oriented processes in the formation of architects and engineers

The University of Malta recently introduced a one-year Diploma Course in Design Foundation Studies with an art-oriented, artist-led, practice-based programme as a preparatory and integral part of the degree courses in Architecture and Civil/Structural Engineering. The article explains the rationale behind the introduction of this new course and its methodology. It analyses why perception, coupled with basic drawing skills, are important for students of architecture and engineering. It shows how the translation of the drawing representing the concept into a threedimensional model relates to their future work. The Sculpturehouse exercise serves as an example illustrating the relation between sculpture and architecture/engineering and the relevance of a haptic experience. Observations made by the author and other members of the academic staff of the Faculty for the Built Environment as well as communications from students who have attended the course lead to conclusions that are sustained by the results of a questionnaire.