PART 1 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS PROBLEM DEFINITION

WHAT IS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS?

Architecture –art and science of designing a building

Design-to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : devise, contrive (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary).

Design is associated with create. The word create is only to be use to the creator to god

Process- is a series or set of activities that interact to produce a result; it may occur once-only or be
recurrent or periodic (en wikipedia.org)

Architectural design process is a tool/device consisting of interdependent planned activities that are
executed in cyclic or iterative attempts to produce a beautiful and functional building design.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PARADIGM

Iterative process…..Cyclic process

Cyclic – this is the generic planning process and this can be revised to fit in any activity.

In doing planning there is problem identification

Cycling process – you come back to the previous subject to check if you are following the direction you
were able to establish
1 PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION - Goals and objective

Problem – Greek term pro - before, forward ballein-to throw

The accumulation and gathering of general information including specific data related to the project
which include: 1.1 Project objectives 1.2 Background of the project 1.3 Scope of the project 1.4 Site of
the project 1.5 Building Requirements Programming starts here 1

- Project Objectives

1.1 Project Objectives

• Who is the client/owner/user?

• What are the goals/objectives/why the

client/owner/user

wants to have a building?

- goals? objectives?

• Goals –vague, profound, general statement of what to achieve at the end of the process

• Objective-specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound (SMART) statements (based

on goal) on what to achieve at the end of the process

Project goal - profound, vague general statement of the client/user in having a structure and
what the client/user intends to achieve after the structure is constructed

Project objective-ways of achieving the project goal of the client/user

• Sort out all the client’s goals/objectives in relation to architectural activities.

• Observe hierarchy of objectives

• Project objectives-client

• Design objectives-architect
 What are the intentions of the user/client when the building is constructed?

Example

• Project goal

• Project objective

Example:

Project goal

Project goal of Mr. Juan de la Cruz

Provision of a multipurpose area catering to different numbers and needs of the guests

Project objectives

1. to put up a multipurpose structure for investment

2. To offer memorable experiences to guests in the celebrating special occasions

Take note of objective no. 1

Building Typology

1.2 Background of the Project Information gathering related to the project: on:

Type of building to be constructed

• Institutional

• Recreational

• Entertainment

• Cultural

• Industrial

• Commercial

• Others

Discussion about the project touching on the basic needs such as shelter, recreational, institutional,
cultural, industrial and other uses. What is the intention why the project is being proposed?

What are the intentions of the user/client when the building is constructed?

1.3 Scope of the project

List on spaces and activities based on the needs and wants and within the field of architecture the
architect can provide to the client/user

What are the spaces, requirements, and other demands of the client/user within the realm of
architecture?
 Needs Vs Wants

How are need and wants of the client /user useful in problem identification?

1.4 The project site

• Contains information about the site: location, size and shapes, measurements others. The
information stated in the TCT is very important as preliminary site research and inventory.

What are the opportunities and constraints of the client’s site with the design and construction of
the building?

TCT Transfer Certificate of Title

The TCT is a public document that shows essential information needed the site inventory/research
site analysis

• Ownership

• Location

• Size

• Shape

• North orientation

• Street boundaries
 1.5 Building Requirements

All requirements and data needed in putting up a specific building: legal, space requirements,
standards, needs and wants of the user/owner, cultural, others

What are the important sources of information in doing the building?

CONCEPTS
What is a Concept?

Architectural concepts

•Bright ideas

•Unique solution to a problem

•the designer’s way of responding to the design situation presented in the program

• means for translating the non-physical statements in to physical building product

•Each project has within it critical issues or essential problems

•The designer must establish what they are, and in response to them, create concepts for dealing with
them architecturally

The building projects may begin with one concept or single overall direction of how to respond to the
problem

◦ PARTI-The basic, central, or main concept, drawing, or scheme of an architectural design.

However, any building design is composed of many concepts The designer must divide the project
situation into a manageable number of parts, deal with them individually and then synthesize them in to
one whole simultaneous building

◦ Example:

◦ Circulation concept

◦ Tropical design concept

◦ Environmental concept

◦ Behavioral concept

◦ Spatial concept
How to make a concept??

A Concept is a Statement of an ideal set of relationships among several of the elements under an
architect’s control

– such as; Form, material, texture, colour and adjacency

A Concept Statement is made up of a simple diagram and a few words

A Concept may encompass the entire problem or can illustrate the ideal solution for a small part of the
project

Analogies and Metaphors

Analogies

• are very useful in generating overall design concepts because it is fairly easy to make the necessary
comparisons with known objects to generate new ideas about the object to be designed

Architect: Daniel libeskind

American-Polish Architect Deconstructivist

Architecture is a Language: Daniel Libeskind at TEDxDUBLIN https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=yEkDosanxGk

RENZO PIANO Contemporary Architect

The genius behind some of the world's most famous buildings | Renzo Piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRfudKFLAmI

Bjarke Ingels

Bjarke Bundgaard Ingels is a Danish architect, founder and creative partner of Bjarke Ingels Group. In
Denmark, Ingels became well known after designing two housing complexes in Ørestad: VM Houses and
Mountain Dwellings. Wikipedia

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECT SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECT

Bjarke Ingels: Architecture should be more like Minecraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=cIsIKv1lFZw

MICK PIERCE

Zimbabwean Architect
Sustainable architect

Sustainable project Eastgate shopping center

Naturally low

temperature

building

Inspiration biomimicry inspired

from termite mound

Examples

A building lying on a hill

Examples

A building cooled like a tree – Responding to environment

Office building like an apple – Space organization

Sydney Opera House is like a ship sailing in the harbour – Symbolic form

Pavilions like foot prints – context

A good Concept Diagram

1. Simple – simple diagram giving full representation of the idea

2. Strong visual impact – minimal detail, strong lines, arrows showing direction where necessary

3. Brief verbal description – few words as possible to make the meaning clear

PART 2

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN

STRATEGIES
2.0 DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN STRATEGIES

2.1 programming
2.2 Design Objectives

2.3 Design Considerations

2.4 Technical space analysis

2.1 Architectural Program

Duerk’s definition

architectural programming

• Management of information to be readily accessible in the stages of the design process that will aid in
the decision making of the building

• Tool in establishing the hierarchy of needs of the client

• Identifies issues that will affect design of building

• Recommend programmatic concepts to aid the formation of design concepts

What the relevant information to be gathered to complete the programming phase?

2.1Research/programming

•Architectural programming is the problem-seeking phase

•Design-problem solving phase

Programming is the first step of the design process Information provided by the client/user Design team
or Program consultant

What the relevant information to be gathered to complete the programming phase?

2.1Research/programming

Programming Design Issues

•area of concern that demands a design response

•Areas of concern should be categorized

Examples:

• Client-issue on budget, ROI, personal, etc.

• User-issue on comfortability, isolation, privacy, identity, gender, equality, etc.

• planet Earth-issue on climate change, loss of natural habitat, etc.

 What are the present and future problems of the client/world that will affect the design of the
proposed building?

How will the architect use these issues in coming up with bright ideas in solving the issues
through architectural design of the building?

Design Mission

Mission- defines special purpose that the building project must fulfil to succeed. Contains set of values
that were part of the impetus that generated the project.

Mission and issues should be stated so that goals can be formulated.

EXAMPLE :

Mission statement: to create an educational facility that supports 7,8, and 9 graders in making an easy
transition from childhood to adulthood.

Why do we need to do this project?

Research /Programming

2.2 Design Objectives

2.1 Design Objectives

• Architect’s intention on what to accomplish at the end of the design process

• Influence by project objectives

• Answers the needs of the project which can be translated into spatial or architectural activities

• Influence by other factors that the architect will include in his statement of objectives. These factors
influencing his objectives are the design considerations

What are the intentions/objectives of the client/user so that the architect’s can formulate the design
objectives?

What are the design issues so that the architect can formulate the design objectives?

What are the activities of the architect that will be achieve where the building is finished?

Architect’s Programming Framework

2.2 Design Considerations

• Influencing factors that are considered in developing the building and its environ. These are factors
may not be directly related in architecture but are needed since they affect the design of the building

• Geared toward the attainment of the design objectives

• Also hinge on the project objectives

2.3 Design Considerations

2.4 Technical Space Analysis

2.4 Technical Analysis

The client initially identifies the spaces of the project. The role of the architect is to complete all the
needed space requirements by

• finding out all the required spaces for the building, computing the sizes of the building,

• Determining space adjacencies

• Space circulation

• Other space requirements

Tools for Space Analysis

1. Matrix diagram

Matrix Diagram

Tool in determining space adjacency

1. List all spaces

2. Make scale of space proximity

• essential

• desirable

• not needed

3. Compare the proximity of one space with the rest of the spaces

What are the principles why spaces are placed very near each other?

Far apart form each other?

Tools for Space Analysis

2. Interaction Net

Interaction Net

Tool in determining space adjacency

1. Represent all spaces in bubbles

2. Lay in circle

3. Translate proximity fro matrix by connecting the bubbles

What are the principles why spaces are placed very near each other?

Far apart form each other?

2.4 Technical Space Analysis

Grid Bubble Layout

Grid

1. Place all bubbles in grid

2. Connect bubbles using the interaction net

3. See to it that there are no overlapping connections

What are the considerations why spaces are placed very near each other?

Far apart form each other?

2.5 SPACE ZONING

2.5 SPACE ZONING

2.5 site analysis

Decision best layout of bubble diagram with consideration to site

TECHNICAL SPACE ANALYSIS

From the bubble diagram, compute the space areas based on the requirements of the client/user and
the space standards

2.3 Design Concepts

Design Concept

motivating idea that give direction for design considerations to directly influence the satisfaction of
design objectives.
Definition of Design Concept in various ways:

-Conscious interacting repertoire of design consideration to meet design objectives.

-A format conceived with regards to the general approach to design.

-An initial generalized idea which is to be expanded and developed latter in more details.

-A perception about from resulting from analysis of the problem.

-A strategy for moving from design objectives to design solutions through.

-Satisfaction of design objectives through design considerations.

PART 3 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS

Appreciation of Design Alternatives

Objective appreciation and criticism of each scheme should be observed. The opinion of others should
be sought after. Objective and meritorious criticism should help achieve an improvement in the design.
The improved design scheme will follow series of reassessment particularly in the detail level of design
to arrive at the final design.

At this stage of the process the designer should exhaust all his / her efforts for the purpose of arriving at
not as simply a mediocre traditional solution but rather exceptional innovative design.

Final Design Proposal and Presentation

At this stage, the designer makes an accounting of all drawing requirements, makes mock-up
composition of drawings per board and established the work load for production. A work schedule is
produced with the use of bar charts, considering production rate, logistics and available time frame. A
decision of what medium of presentation values of using impressive mediums.

During this last stage, the refinements and further detailing is done