Design

as a process

INDS121
Interior Design Process, Human
Factors and Ergonomics
Dr. Irene Pasina
illustration by @halfool_draws
A design process describes how you as an

?
architect or interior designer must work

A design process describes how you as an

architect or interior designer can work
Why should you have a design process

?
Why should you have a design process

?
• To explain to the client how you work?
• To “guarantee” the outcome of a project?
• To prevent mistakes?
• To have an agreement how the team is approaching the project?
• Because the teacher told you so?
• Because all architect and designers do have a process?
Each interior design and
architecture project follows
steps during the design
process in order to meet
client expectations and
design specifications.
 INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN

1. Design Brief 1. Conceptual Design

2. Survey & Schematic Design 2. Schematic Design
3. Design Development 3. Design Development
4. Construction Documents 4. Construction Documents
5. Construction Tender 5. Construction Bidding
6. Construction 6. Construction
Administration Administration
 INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN

1. Design Brief 1. Conceptual Design

2. Survey & Schematic Design 2. Schematic Design
3. Design Development 3. Design Development
4. Construction Documents 4. Construction Documents
5. Construction Tender 5. Construction Bidding
6. Construction 6. Construction
Administration Administration
PRE-DESIGN SCHEMATIC DESIGN CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTS ADMINISTRATION

Research and data Analyse collected Solidify most of the Prepare technical
data and address major design drawings and Observe project
collection. Get to
user’s needs with decisions, develop documentation, to construction and
know the client’s
different design detailed drawings,
include all the ensure that the
criteria and needs structural and building
solutions. Explore specify details, design intent
and conduct services, specialist
alternative design and outline remains consistent.
research on the site. contractors, design
concepts. specifications. specifications
PRE-DESIGN

Research forms the basis for any design project.

The type and scope of research can vary, be it a
meeting with a client, a site analysis or a
desktop study about the site’s history.

Either way, the collection of data, discussions

with the client or site visit will all be the basis for
forming a starting point for design.

These early stages of research are crucial to

developing the project’s character.
PRE-DESIGN
PRE-DESIGN

The goal of the early stage of design is to gather data

that will present the problems associated with the
task, and the research process will effectively
continue throughout the architecture design
process.

A thorough site analysis will start to form a picture

of the site’s context, its limitations, its merits, and
problems, and allow the designer to focus on
developing a response to these issues.

Likewise, discussion with the client and developing

a brief will also lead to valuable data about the end
use of the building, its users, and the project’s
overall goals.
PRE-DESIGN

Discovering historical data relating to the site and

surrounding context can lead to developing a concept
that reflects some of this history.

Research can take the form of data collection,

discussions, studies, model making, and sketching to
discover as much as possible about the site and
proposed project.

You can never do enough research

in the early stages of the
architecture design process.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN

After the research phase of the

architecture design process, the
designer has collected enough
information to begin establishing
ideas and concepts and prepare to
develop solutions to the problems
that have been identified.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN

The initial research and proposal stages may weave

into one another as data is collected and responses
are made to that data. As the proposal phase
continues, more definite ideas will emerge, and
many tools will be used to convey these early ideas.

OMA Rem Koolhaas

CEBRA Architecture
SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Sketches and models will be used in plans,

elevations and sections to develop proposals,
along with 3d discoveries to imagine a
contextual approach to the design.

Steven Holl

Ilse Crawford
SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Sou Fujimoto, NA House

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

During the Design development phase, the review and

development stage of the project can happen
numerous times. The design process is iterative,
meaning that the process can be repetitive or
cyclical. Design is not a linear process and can skip
around in a random series of responses as it addresses
issues and reacts to changes.

Herzog and De Meuron

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

After the design has been analysed, the designer

can refine the design ideas and develop the
scheme. It may be that the analysis has presented
issues with the design that require circling back to
earlier stages, in order to refine ideas. On the other
hand, the design may only require fine-tuning and
can be developed in more focused detail.
Refining and developing requires constant
reflection on the initial design stages, referring to
research and data collected in the early stages and
revisiting early proposals and ideas.
This cycle will continue until the analysis suggests
that the criteria of the project have been met and
the design is able to develop. This development will
proceed to technical design, as the finer details are
established.

BIG Bjarke Ingels office

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

There comes a point in the design process when the

client will approve the design for it to be taken to the
development phase. The design will then be refined in
more detail, factoring in other scheme elements.

At this stage, drawings will be developed at scale,

integrating structural engineers, mechanical engineers
and other external team members. The design will begin
to consider more detailed elements such as materials,
fixtures, fittings, and finishes. At this point, cost will also
play a more important factor, and for larger projects, a
quantity surveyor may be brought in to manage that
aspect of the project.

Atelier Bow Wow

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The project may need to be prepared for planning

applications and, therefore, may require 3d
models or visualisations to convey the final
design. In some cases, sales and marketing
literature will be considered for larger projects as
the client begins to consider promoting the
development.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

Technical information will be developed to

provide a full picture of the design and how
it will be constructed. The finer details of
how materials will relate to one another and
connections between elements will all be
considered at this stage as the design is
prepared for construction.

Usually, this is the longest step in the design

process, as architects must ensure their
design is planned well for execution and wait
for documents to be approved.

Renzo Piano
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

The two sets of drawings required at this point are

the permit set and the construction set. The building
permit set is sent to the local permitting authority for
approval. The process can take a while, so it’s crucial
to complete and submit this first.

The Issue for construction set contains all of the

details and dimensions to communicate the design to
the builder throughout the construction process. An
in-house construction contractor may also

Norman Foster
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

NKS2 Architects
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Renzo Piano
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION

Once the final design is approved, the execution or

implementation phase marks the realisation of the
design. All materials, furnishings and accessories are
ordered. Delivered goods are inspected, and
damaged items are repaired, returned or re-ordered,
and marked according to project and placement.

The designer and architect will make regular site

visits to coordinate progress, inspect the quality of
workmanship and resolve any on-site issues.

DesignByRoar
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION

The Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is an

important final step in the design process.
The designer/architetc follows up after completion
of the project to measure the success of the design
solution.
This may involve a questionnaire, interview or walk-
through inspection with the client.

Project evaluation should be repeated at intervals to

measure user-satisfaction and to increase
professional knowledge for future projects.