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MSA University
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Architecture
Design IV . ASE241 . Spring 2015

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Architectural
Design Concepts

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Generators and Examples

Assoc. Prof. Dr Nermine Abdel Gelil

MEANING OF CONCEPT

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Design concept is a very simple idea used to narrow

down the range of possible solutions

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It comes from focusing on general issues of the design

problem instead of its details

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The designer searches for an important aspect or an

objective and this becomes the starting point of design

This aspect or objective is usually generated by three

types of variables: need, context and form

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GENERATORS OF CONCEPT

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NEED
Variables

CONTEXT
Variables

FORM
Variables

Generators (Sources) of Design

Concepts

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Context Variable

Topography/Light/Air are the sources of the basic organizing idea for the house

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Context & Need Variables

Enclosure vs. Exposure is the source of the basic organizing idea for the house

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Context Variable

Response to Site is used as the source of the basic organizing idea for the house

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Need Variable

Activity Analysis is used as the source of the basic organizing idea for the house

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Need & Form Variable

Enclosure and Grid are used as the source of the basic organizing idea for the house

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Thinking of FUNCTION in early design phases

How To Think Like An Architect

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(Videos By Arch. Barry Berkus, AIA)

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Designing From Organic Form (V1)

Hurricane Katrina - Disaster Breeds
Opportunity (V2)
Designing From Nature (V3)
The Design Process (V4)

Mind of Architect

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(Videos by Nicholas Canargiu, a Student of Architecture, Italy)

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Mind of Architect Concept design (V5)

Mind of Architect Concept design (V6)
Restaurant Beach Study Model (V7)

The City of Arts and Sciences

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Santiago Calatrava, Spain

Calatravas Structural concepts are inspired by the

observation of human, animal and plant anatomy

Lyon Railway Station

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Santiago Calatrava, Paris, France

Lyon Railway Station

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Santiago Calatrava, Paris, France

Lyon Railway Station

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Santiago Calatrava, Paris, France