This paper presents an application of the design-centric education through five interdisciplinary student workshops conducted between 2000 and 2010 at the Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek, Croatia. The main workshop aims, namely the incorporation of contemporary educational tendencies and techniques into curricula and the socially responsible interaction between the Faculty and its environment, are described. Furthermore, a case study workshop entitled ‘Where is the Railway?’ is presented detailing performed activities, results and the evaluation. Positive and negative aspects of design-centric approach to teaching/learning are discussed from the students’ and the teachers’ viewpoint. The balance of project preparation and management with the freedom in creating project’s contents and results is stressed. Finally, the role of universities is accentuated through choice of locations, buildings and institutions involved in the workshops.

Civil engineering