This study into the architectural profession reviews developed decision support frameworks (graphics to inform and improve decision making through access to more information) as knowledge sharing devices. These developed frameworks first, influence decision makers: the students and their decisions in their personal architectural design process and second, develop a framework on vegetated assemblies (building assemblies that incorporate plants such as green roofs and walls) as vegetated assemblies relate to color theory and its implications in design methodology. This decision support framework assists students in their design process in studio and studio-like educational environments. The purpose of this decision support framework is to influence the students in using vegetated assemblies in their future design inquiry. After implementation, the purpose was to determine the worth of the framework as a mechanism for knowledge sharing. Both purposes were reviewed in developing the framework using immersive case studies, classes both in traditional studios and studio-like courses, website development and member feedback. The evidence of the resulting improvement of decision making or design work was found through the use of surveys, student reflective writing, and personal interpretation of student works and my own immersive design studies, classes, and development of the framework and its website. The surveys and reflective writing were collected from multiple years of involvement in traditional studio and studio-like classes to refine the framework and its use. The results of the study suggest that students do have a larger body of knowledge to make decisions about utilizing vegetated assemblies than before the use of the framework and go on the continue using vegetated assemblies in design work. The framework presents the various factors that impact decisions into vegetated assemblies and develop future designs. By influencing and improving knowledge of such factors on the design of vegetated assemblies early in a student's education, improves decision making in future designs and later professional work. Future work would be targeted at refining the framework and potential courses to include other topics of interest in relation to vegetated assemblies. Finally, the framework could be adapted into a more codified, interactive tool in the future. / Ph. D. / This study looks at how graphics and representation can improve the making of decisions on the basis of access to more information across different learning environments. This process of gathering and then sharing information with others can develop into knowledge sharing devices. These devices also known as decision support structures are a scaffold or framework for influencing decision makers: the students. The influence is on their developed design process, how students go about designing, and on their knowledge of vegetated assemblies, which are parts of buildings that incorporate plants such as green roofs and walls, and color theory, which is a method for using color in design. This decision support structures assists students in their design process in studio and studio-like educational environments. The purpose of this dissertation is to review how decision support structures can be used various learning environments to assist students in exploring lines of inquiry. These lines of inquiry are a deliberate process of exploring an idea or family of ideas. This use of the decision support structure was reviewed using immersive case studies, classes both in traditional studios and studio-like courses, and the development of a website. The results of the study suggest that students do have a larger body of knowledge to make decisions when using the developed decision support structure. This work presents the various factors that impact decisions into developing future designs based on vegetated assemblies and color theory as topics. This work also improves decision making in future designs and later professional work. Future work would be targeted at refining the developed decision support structure and potential courses to include other topics of interest in relation to vegetated assemblies. Finally, the framework could be adapted and expanded in the future.