MEDAN — 3 November 2026, the Undergraduate Program in Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, USU, held a review session for the Integrated and Contextual Architectural Design Studio (SPATK) for the Odd Semester of the 2026/2027 Academic Year, featuring the 14th Sultan of Deli, Tengku Mahmud Aria Lamantjiji, S.T., M.T., as a Partner Reviewer.

The participation of a partner reviewer was part of the studio learning process, providing students with an opportunity to gain external perspectives on the design concepts they were developing.

The Integrated and Contextual Architectural Design Studio is a learning activity that emphasizes students' ability to design by considering the interrelationships between buildings, the environment, culture, and the characteristics of an area. Through the review session, students received direct feedback on their concepts and design approaches.

During the activity, the 14th Sultan of Deli, Tengku Mahmud Aria Lamantjiji, S.T., M.T., provided perspectives and feedback as a partner on the development of students' design concepts. His insights are expected to enrich students' understanding of the importance of local context in the architectural design process.

The involvement of external partners in the studio learning process also provides a more comprehensive academic experience. Students receive not only evaluations from their course lecturers but also perspectives from external parties with an understanding of cultural values, regional characteristics, and community contexts.

Through discussions and the review process, students are encouraged to explain the rationale behind their designs, take responsibility for their design decisions, and develop architectural solutions that respond to the environment and users' needs.

In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this activity is related to SDG 4 – Quality Education, through the strengthening of studio-based learning and collaboration with partners, as well as SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, through the development of contextual design approaches that take environmental characteristics and local values into account.

Through the SPATK Studio review, the USU Faculty of Engineering continues to promote architectural education that focuses not only on technical design skills but also on students' sensitivity to social, cultural, and environmental contexts as essential elements in producing relevant and sustainable architectural designs.