Due to the holistic and often contradictory nature of sustainable design, learning for sustainability in the architectural design studio requires students to adopt critical and reflective practices. This research developed a reflective mapping framework to enable deep learning. It was created through a participatory action research methodology within a learning environment parallel to the design studio. The framework was used to inform approaches to sustainability at conceptual design stage. It encouraged participant engagement, understanding and reflection. This form of structured group learning is a possible alternative to the one-to-one tutorial for enabling deep learning in the design studio. The research highlights the importance of alternative learning environments to the design studio that can encourage critical reflection. This research contributes to design pedagogy by describing a methodology for enhancing deep learning for sustainability through participatory action.