Learning beyond walls: outdoor education for design thinking in built environment

This innovation paper investigates the use of outdoor education as a pedagogical tool to enhance design thinking in built environment education. Implemented with undergraduate students from town planning, architecture and interior design programs at a Malaysian university, the intervention integrated structured outdoor activities into the studio curriculum. Students engaged in site-based tasks that required observational analysis, spatial interpretation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The approach aimed to extend learning beyond conventional studio walls, fostering experiential and place-based understanding. Findings indicate that students developed stronger spatial awareness, environmental sensitivity, and confidence in applying theoretical concepts to real-world contexts. A role-reversal strategy where students presented site-based insights further encouraged reflective thinking and peer-led learning. The study concludes that outdoor experiential learning, when purposefully designed, can enrich built environment pedagogy and better prepare students for professional practice.