Design Anthropology & Critical Practices Research Group

Design Anthropology and Critical Practices – DACP- is a research group that adopts a critical approach to architectural education and research at Istanbul Bilgi University. This research group is led by Amina Rezoug Ayar, V. Şafak Uysal from Interior Design, and Elif Kendir Beraha from the Architecture Department, with contributions by Yağmur Nuhrat and Fırat Genç from the Sociology Department.
Design Anthropology is a “field in the making” that emerged from the intersection of two distinct but intertwined disciplines: design and anthropology. Design anthropology holds the key role of theory and cultural interpretation that “integrates a rich tradition of contextualization and interpretation into the tasks of design, emphasizing the generative role of theory in developing design concepts and critically examining existing often implicit conceptual frameworks.”
In contemporary times, a pervasive condition of dislocation and deterritorialization has become increasingly prevalent, arising from the One-World World ontology. This ontological framework is inextricably linked to dominant models of social existence, including patriarchy, industrialism, capitalism, modernity, and anthropocentrism. The confluence of these forces, aggravated by compounding crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, population growth, mass migration, and systemic oppression collectively contributes to the current state of unsettlement. The physical structures of architecture in general embody underlying ideologies, shaping the organization of the world through historical influences.
There are many emerging studies addressing social change in design/architecture. Some of the fields that we comply with are Decolonial studies, Transition Design, Transformative Social Innovation, and Pluriversal Design. Decolonial studies focus on dismantling colonial structures and power relations, while Transition Design aims to create sustainable and just futures through systemic and holistic approaches. Transformative Social Innovation seeks to address social and environmental challenges through innovative solutions, and Pluriversal Design emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and desires in creating meaningful social change. Acknowledging these practices we adopt design anthropology as an inclusive research strategy to address these and other critical practices. In our research group, we aim to overcome the challenges of incorporating design anthropology into architectural research and critical practices, such as the lack of understanding of local cultures and value systems, the disconnection between design research and anthropological methodology, and the adaptation to a slower, more conscientious way of working.
Our goal is to cultivate the possibilities inherent in spatial practices that are not only socially informed but also actively engaged. This kind of architecture should arise from a comprehensive understanding of the shift towards the pluriverse, which involves recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, rather than a One-World World. The knowledge base underpinning this endeavor is situated in specific contexts and experiences. In essence, our aim is to develop spatial practices that are not only attuned to social dynamics but also emerge from a profound understanding of the multiplicity inherent in the transition toward a pluriversal perspective.