Generating Concepts

and Design Ideas

Generating Concepts and Design Ideas
Generating Concepts and Design Ideas
Architectural Design Approaches
The common problem right after every project
brief for all students are:
 Where should I begin?
 How could I explain it?
 What are the basis for this design?

There are several approaches to design. Here

are the breakdown summary in each of these
approaches
Architectural Design Approaches
1 Concept

2 Issue based

3 Design theory

4 Issue + design theory

Design Approach 1
Design Approach 1: CONCEPTS
 This method is called “ Concept”
 It’s commonly used throughout the design
world.
 Titles of concepts tends to lean towards a
usage of a certain “unique keywords” an
attempt to make it more appealing for the
impression that it consisted a certain
uniqueness either in it’s design and approach.
1 Concept

2 Issue based

3 Design theory

4 Issue + design theory

Design Approach 2: An Issue Based
Design Approach 2: An Issue Based
If we began to address the flooding or any other
problems in the proposed site and to resolved it
through design – this method is called an “ issue
based” approach

Issue based could also be not just from the site but
also from the problem with the current design or
any other matter faced by users.
Design Approach 2: An Issue Based

The lack of access to the disable for example, or

the lack of communal spaces, etc. The attempt to
improved the current condition or to resolved this
issues with the design is the core for the issue
based approach
Design Approach 2: An Issue Based

To achieve the solution, we could began by

comparing current ideas and solutions from other
designs.

This is known as “ precedent studies”

A combination of issues, precedent studies and

idea in an attempt to resolved the issues will be the
design.
1 Concept

2 Issue based

3 Design theory

4 Issue + design theory

Design Approach 3:
Design Theory & Philosophies
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Design Theory approach is based on an architects
design philosophies and views towards the design.

In this approach, we are not addressing the raising

issues in the proposed site, but perhaps it is more
towards answering the project brief and
requirement.
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Design Theory involves the fundamentals and
principles of creating visual communication and all
types of art.

It deals with how we see and perceive visual

information , and separates ideas of style, taste
and trend from the universal principles of
aesthetics that are common to every person.
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Design Theory involves an understanding of the
tangible elements including form, space, proportion,
color, scale, texture, structure (grid), composition,
line, shape and volume and how to arrange them
to achieve balance, rhythm, pattern, hierarchy,
emphasis, and unity.

Design theory, blended with a purpose or problem

to solve, results in effective design solutions.
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Design Philosophies.
- assumptions, foundations, and implications of
design.
- Theoretical basis or driving force behind the
work of a designer. They can apply to aesthetics,
methods or the impact of a design on society,
individuals or the planet.
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Famous Design Philosophies

“FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”

- Louis Sullivan

States that the shape of structures is dictated by

their functions.
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Famous Design Philosophies

“LESS IS BORE”
- Robert Venturi

Lifeless, boring and excessively plain

Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Famous Design Philosophies

“LESS IS MORE”
- Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe

Minimalist design and architecture

Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
This approach seems similar to “Concept
Approach”, however it is complex and requires a
deeper and thorough studies and understanding.

Consider yourself as a disciple to these

philosophies because we are borrowing their
theories in our path towards design solution.
Design Approach 3: Design Theory &
Philosophies
Without it ( an in-depth understanding where we
will be constantly challenged in our attempt
towards the design solution), the produced design
will be considered as a poor and vague imitation
attempt towards design solution
1 Concept

2 Issue based

3 Design theory

4 Issue + design theory

Design Approach 4: Issue + Design Theory
Design Approach 4: Issue + Design Theory
Combination of # 2 and # 3
It is an attempt to solve site issues with design
theory to produce a solution through our design.

Such solution could be a combination of several

other theories that you feel relevant and necessary
in order to resolved several raising matters
regarding the site, building or space and to follow
through all these theory as a problem solving
guideline through the design
ARCHITECTURAL
CONCEPT
GUIDE TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONCEPTS
Architectural Concept
What is a concept?
 In simple words…. A concept is an Idea!
 Something conceived in the mind; a thought
or notion
 Mind representation
 Solution
 Driving force of any project, an identity for the
work
Architectural Concept
What is a concept?
 A concept, on the other hand, implies
appropriateness; it supports the main
intentions and goals of a project and respects
each project’s unique characteristics and
restrictions.
Architectural Concept
Architectural Concepts
 The designers way of responding to the
design situation presented to them.
 They are a means of translating the non-
physical design problem into the physical
building product.
What is a concept?
Definitions of Concept

 Idea  Image
 Theory  View
 Notion  Intention
 Conception  Plan
 Opinion  Thought
 Abstraction  Impression
 Philosophy  Hypothesis
 Belief  DESIGN
Architectural Concept
What is a concept?
Architectural Concept
Where do ideas (Concepts) come from?
 Site ( site analysis)
 Program ( functional requirements)
 Place/Culture/ Society
 Technology / Material/ Method
 Personal Architectural Influences
 Movement
 Space/ Emotions
 Speed/ Technology
 Memory/ Place
 Precedent Research
Dimensions of Concepts
Any building concept should provide:

 Exterior Expressions
 Interior Expression
Dimensions of Concepts
Any building concept should provide:
Levels of Expressions
The concept should be appeal to both:
 The Normal Layman
 The Professional Specialist
Elements of Concept Generation and
Expression
 Function
 Form
 Materials
 Structure
 Lighting
 Ventilation
 Meaning
 Philosophy
Define the problem
Collect information

Brainstorm + analyse

Develop solutions

Present your ideas

Improve design
You might be asking yourselves: I can design
without a concept, why do I need to go through all
the trouble?
That’s absolutely true but; you need a concept because:
 It gives depth and meaning to your work, the more
innovative and coherent your concept the more
interesting your work is!
 Concepts open the door for more related ideas, they
make you think and research. A richer concept means a
richer building!
 Concepts are what distinguish architects, yes anyone
might be able to design ( functionally) with experience,
but your creativity is what makes you special! Even
among peer architects and designers.
Help! I am stuck

 Be comfortable, use any, yes any way you find

best to express what you are thinking of.
 Understand the nature and context of the project
you are working on.
 Brainstorm, don’t be afraid to experiment!
 Empty all your thoughts, the relevant and
irrelevant, on the butter paper. Doodles are not
fully fun, but they usually also carry messages!
Help! I am stuck

 Select one or couples of ideas, work more

intensively on them
 Settle on the concept, an idea you personally feel
attracted to.
 Remember, great concepts have a humble
beginning. Concepts evolve.
 With time, every architect finds his preferable way.
But also….

 Remember that the concept is usually derived

from an idea related to the project, its function,
context, objective….
 The concept will definitely evolve as you work,
don’t worry!
 The concept is to be applied on any project ( of
any scale) on all levels and details.
 And again, great concepts have a humble
beginning.
You have a concept but don’t know how to
communicate it?

Multiple tools can be used to express your idea;

 Drawings, all sorts of drawings are applicable
even if a section
 Conceptual models
 Use little text!
Using different materials, colors and methods might
help you both understand better what you are doing
and hence express your concept

Sometimes you need multiple tools to express your

idea.
How can I express a concept?
1. Diagrams: drawings of geometric shapes to
show different relationships within any given space.
How can I express a concept?
2. Parti: a type of diagram that serves as a general
idea to figure out a building’s program or layout.
They are usually in the form of quick sketches or
even 3D models.
How can I express a concept?
3. Morphology: The study of the forms of things,
in particular.
Conceptual models
Yes you can turn your idea into a model!
Conceptual model can be used to express:
 Layers of the project; vertical, horizontal and
rotated planes.
 Outer Shell
 Circulation, whether vertical or horizontal and
types
 Materials and colors
 Coherence with Topography
 Any other ode you want to communicate
Example…
ANALOGY AND
METAPHOR
GUIDE TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONCEPTS
ANALOGY
A similarity between like features of two things, on
which a comparison may be based

Analogy is a cognitive process of transferring

information from a particular subject ( the analogue
or source) to another particular subject ( the
target) , and a linguistic expression corresponding
to such a process.
ANALOGY
Analogy : A comparison based on such similarity;

A. SUPERFICIAL ANALOGY - to take the same

shape of sth without any change (direct)
B. STRUCTURAL ANALOGY – to make a
structure of building from a shape or something
C. HOLISTIC ANALOGY - combination of both
METAPHOR
A literary term which means “ carrying-over and a
synonym is the word transfer

It is associates meanings, emotions, things, times

and places which otherwise would not have been
related.
METAPHOR
There are three broad categories of metaphor:

INTANGIBLE : The metaphorical departure is a

concept, idea, human condition, or a particular
quality ( individuality, tradition, culture, community,
etc.)
METAPHOR
There are three broad categories of metaphor:

TANGIBLE : The metaphorical departure stems

strictly from some visual or material character ( a
house as a castle, the roof of a temple as the sky,
etc.)
METAPHOR
There are three broad categories of metaphor:

COMBINED: In this kind of metaphor the

conceptual and the visual overlap ( the computer
and the beehive, both being boxes of relevant
proportions, yet having the qualities of discipline,
organization cooperation)
Be aware of the following:

Overcomplicating the issue, remember your

concept evolves

Being afraid of expressing your ideas

Using too much text

Not enjoying what you are doing

DESIGN SOLUTION
Your concepts and solutions will begin to build as
you explore the different factors required in your
design and the values and ideas you can come up
with.