Introduction The contents introduce a broad range of architectural concepts and common issues that can be explored through design methods, critical analyses and practical exercises. Consequently, learners can acquire diverse design skills through critical thinking and representation of architectural concepts and undertaking vital decisions on building designs. Thus, the role of the architect becomes clear across cultures, history and in the application of technologies. Design studios in architectural learning also strive to nurture, apply and evaluate the architectural design competence of learners. Students can acquire a comprehensive understanding of several theoretical, technical and professional elements of architecture while enhancing their abilities to incorporate knowledge gained into designs and representation during practical sessions. Every Design Studio presents new learning opportunities for learners. In this critical review, the focus is on Studio 7, Studio 8, Studio 9 and Studio 10. Brief Overview of the Design Studios Studio 7 The Design Studio 7 presents design challenges that explore the use of Cross Laminated Timber (CTL) in building high-rise structures and mixed-use architecture consisting of residential and wood learning facilities. The course is designed to equip learners with problem-solving skills such that they can comprehend various issues relating to climate design, comfort, building materials, energy usages in buildings, building technologies, and the rating schemes to determine performance. In this case, learners can get opportunities to integrate and practise various concepts related to CTL implementation in high-rise building/mixed-use architecture (residential and wood learning facility). Studio, therefore, becomes the platform for practising and conceptualizing knowledge of urban and architectural designs to communicate the architect’s intentions. Studio 8 Design Studio 8 reflects an architecture competition in Helsinki, Finland to design a new branch of the Guggenheim Museum. The competition advances architecture, design, and urban life. The open competition is meant to inspire innovation that would lead to a design, which will be both an excellent museum of the 21 st century and a globally acknowledged symbol of Helsinki (Malcolm Reading Consultants 2014). Studio 9 Studio 9 explores morphogenetic architecture, focusing more on the early stage of the design process (its growth and development) rather than the final architecture itself (Site: Rotterdam). By transforming Rotterdam through architectural morphogenetic, students will be able to demonstrate their competencies in advanced design processes, strategies and conceptualisation of complex architectural designs. Studio 10 Studio 10 is a continuation of Studio 9. It mainly reflects the final design processes in architecture. As such, it depends on and elaborates the introductory architectural solutions. To achieve this role, Studio 10, offers critical perspectives by demonstrating that architecture is ‘constructable’ within the larger systems and situations. It also evaluates the built and occupied environments from within. Conceptualisation and problem solving The Design Studios introduce architects to a world of problem-solving each day with the a