Design Process

All processes will begin with research leading to an “architectural” concept that guides the layout of the space with relationship to the program. After completion of this, and only after, may theme or metaphor be used to articulate the space.

Concept Development Process:
Concept: A plan or intention; a conception

1. Do research on building type – including floor plan analysis of successful examples.
2. Develop client profile based on the brief and including the criteria for design success – what absolutely must be accomplished in the new design for the client if it is to be successful.
3. Develop programming diagrams – adjacency matrix, bubble diagram, and zoning diagram. Zoning diagrams are to be zoned on some progressive criteria – security, public to private, natural to artificial light.
4. Look at bubble and zoning diagram in relationship to the base floor plan for the space being designed for.
5. Develop a concept in relationship to the results of programming and the floor plan. Students look at these things together and evolve a concept, e.g. centralized scheme, radial scheme, assymetrical balance. There’s an intuitive leep, yes, but then there’s a relationship between programming and concept development. A minimum of three concepts should be developed – these should be critiqued to arrive at a single synthesis of the best ideas in each of the three.
6. At this stage the use of architectural precedents could also be usefully employed. Further, the pattern language should be used in every case to ensure the students think about the interactions of space and events (and meaning). The seven principles of Universal Design could also be used in a meaningful way to guide the development of a responsive design.
7. Develop multiple schematic designs, more or less to scale, in softline form.
8. Build physical models of important aspects of the spaces with furniture. This will give the students a sense of 3D reality. In the near future Sketchup will be used from the concept development stage to develop a sense of the 3D feel as well.
9. Only once the design has been evolved in this way should CAD – a design documentation tool – be used.