A Suggestion for Developing Imagination of Architectural Education in Korea by introduction of Basic Formative Art Education

The purpose of this study is to suggest basic formative art education in architectural studies to improve collegiate students on architectural imagination in South Korea. Many contemporary architecture buildings contain diverse and unique structures, which are mainly built with advanced architectural design skills from other countries. Although Korea is one of the leading countries on high technologies and engineering, in its architectural society has remained conservative and traditional, which influences the fundamental problem on its trite and monolithic education in architecture. Due to the standardized and hackneyed systems in education, students majoring in architecture fields are lack of creative imagination, and they have fewer opportunities to improve it. Then, how could we improve imagination and creativity? According to the previous study, 'Hye-ri, Han, Architectural Imagination Sources Based on Contemporary Architectural Works towards Creative Design, 2009,' it confirmed that architects get their design ideas from the surrounding environment. In order to find out various sources of imagination applied in contemporary architectures, the precedent study identified some significant sources from literature review and document analysis which affect imagination process. As a result, several contemporary books on architecture were selected as research data. After interpreting and comprehending these materials, a list is made according to its special features. In consequence, this study reveals the fact that contemporary architectural imagination comes mostly from objects, geometry, and natural statistics. These elements are considered as formative features. This explains why basic formative art education is needed in architectural education in colleges and universities in Korea to show their inherent imagination. As stated above, architecture major under engineering department in Korea is strong in engineering and technology, but weak in art and designing which involve students' free and creativity thinking. There are various appropriate measures to solve this problem, arranging overall architectural education system including basic formative art education would capture students' imagination. In order to this, this study suggests to consult the education system of the Bauhaus, a renowned architecture and art school in Germany that was famous for approach to design that it publicized and taught. It has a great influence on the arts, culture, and society of the twentieth century. It tried to achieve an advanced educational curriculum and a new formative art style. Its ultimate goal was to connect the architecture and sculpture and painting into a unified form which is centered on architecture. The school educated students to become creative artists who can lead art community of the future. Even now, the influence of the Bauhaus has been held in reputation because of its unique and creative design education. To process this study, outcomes from the precedent studies and literature reviews are used. Some researches about architectural imagination, the architectural education in colleges and universities in Korea, and the educational system of the Bauhaus are referred. First, importance of architectural imagination and formative art education in architecture is mentioned. Second, problems of architectural education in colleges and universities in Korea are treated. Lastly, by studying the education system of the Bauhaus, this study makes a suggestion to introduce basic formative art education into architectural education system in Korea. Therefore, this study proposes proper architectural education in Korea based on basic formative art education of the Bauhaus. By improving architectural teaching system in colleges and universities in Korea through referring and understanding the education method of the Bauhaus, architecture in Korea would advance thoroughly and gradually.