IMPACT OF USING STRUCTURAL MODELS ON FORM FINDING Incorporating practical structural knowledge into design studio INAS ABDELSABOUR 1 , HEBA FAROUK 2 Department of Architecture, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt 1 inas.abdelsabour@yahoo.com 2 heba_farouk2007@yahoo.com Abstract. Physical Models, as an architectural design tool, have a major influence on the architectural learning process. In structural form finding, it helps in improving visual design thinking to track form creation processes during form finding design stage. This is a study of the impact of using physical models for second year architecture students in design studios learning. By analyzing and comparing students’ performance and progress; to clarify the effect of using physical models as a tool for designing progression, followed by analytical study on the students' structural models, in order to investigate the influence of models on their design educational progress. Research achieved that there were three basic phases the students pass through during form finding process when used manual physical models that improve the students' design capability. 1. Introduction-Scope of Work One of the significant goals in any design studio, is helping the students to transform theoretical thoughts into drawings through architecture education. To develop design knowledge process, most students in the early design studio begin their architectural education without or with limited expertise in understanding the structural system of various spaces and forms. Whereas, an architect needs full understanding of structural principles in order to effectively communicate with structural engineers. Each design stage requires a specific way of visual design thinking and perception that varies from one medium to the other and from one designer to the other. It is necessary to develop manual abilities to improve imagination and design capabilities of the architect, specifically in the early stages of the design process.