Thesis Defense - Arwa Elamashharawi (MSARCH)

Arwa Elmashharawi – MSc in Architecture 

Assoc. Prof. Murat Şahin – Advisor

Date: 4.01.2022

Time: 11:00 

Location: AB4-315

EVALUATION OF THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDENTS USAGE BEHAVIOR AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TOWARDS USING COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN TOOLS

Assoc. Prof. Murat Şahin, Advisor, Özyeğin University

Assoc. Prof. Aslı Ağırbaş, Özyeğin University

Prof. Nilay Ünsal Gülmez, Bahçeşehir University

Abstract:

Since the advent of computational design technologies, architectural design education in Turkey has undergone qualitative advancements. These changes have not only influenced the design curricula but have also created challenges for students to adapt to these advancements. Existing research on Computational design tools (CD tools) has focused on assessing design students' views, perceptions, and attitudes toward utilizing these tools. This research evaluates final-year architecture design students’ usage behavior and behavioral intentions toward using various types of computational design tools. The proposed research model was formulated based on The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use (UTAUT). UTAUT is a highly influential and robust model for comprehending the usage of technology systems. This research employed a quantitative approach to collect and assess the data statistically. Descriptive and Linear Regression Analyses were executed to conduct the analysis. The results reveal that Effort Expectancy (EE) and Attitude (AT) do not influence Usage Behaviour (UB), while Performance expectancy (PE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), and Self-efficacy (SE) have a moderate influence on Usage Behaviour (UB). Anxiety (A) has a weak influence on Usage Behaviour (UB) It is concluded that Usage Behaviour has a moderate influence on students’ Behavioural Intentions (BI) to use the CD tools post-graduation. The current research intended to contribute to the literature on architectural education curricula especially when adopting new CD tools.

Bio:

Arwa Elmashharawi received her BS degree in Science of Architectural Studies from The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2017. Her research focuses on evaluating the usage of computational design tools within the architectural design curricula context.