Visualizing Performance: Research Based School Design in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan

This paper presents research conducted by graduate architecture students participating in the design of a school in Mazar-i-Sharif, located in northwest Afghanistan. During the course of a ten-week studio, students developed recommendations for improving the Afghan Ministry of Education standard school design. Achieving a higher level of performance for these institutions would enhance the overall student experience and potentially increase enrollment capacity. This paper sheds light on the benefits and advantages of architectural research and design in an area of development where architects typically do not participate. This project also demonstrates the influence data can have on the design process, and illustrates how students can visually communicate complex information resulting from research to others.