Perez, Yrral Jaime C.

December 3, 2014
AR46/RESMEAR – A01 Architect R. Trinidad

What is Architectural Research?

Architectural research is simply defined to be the original investigation undertaken
in order to generate knowledge, insights and understanding based on competences,
methods and tools proper to the discipline of architecture. It has its own particular
knowledge base, mode, scope, tactics and strategies.
Architectural research can be associated with “practice” in such cases where the
new knowledge is acquired through the architectural solution or the architectural
solution itself is the acquired knowledge.
As said by the Royal Institute of British Architects, its scope should follow a certain
model:

 Architectural Processes
o This part encompasses the processes involved in the design,
development and construction of buildings in the form of design
theories, methodologies, environmental data and so on.
 Architectural Products
o Covers the projection or prediction of the whole architectural solution if
it comes into being, associated with factors like aesthetics and
construction materials.
 Architectural Performance
o Refers to the overall performance of the architectural solution towards
external factors, inclusive of its social, environmental and cultural
impact.
Architectural Research has been existing in the longest time. Primarily, it sought the
development of the things within the confines of architecture, like for instance,
structural forms and building materials. In the present, however, Architectural
Research evolved to become a multi-disciplinary process, encompassing studies
which appear to be a significant contributing factor to architecture—studies on
climate; social, psychological and economic conditions.
How does “Architectural Research” differ from “General Research”?
Architectural Research sets itself apart from General/Basic Research because
Architectural Research is certainly purposive.
General Research ventures to acquire new knowledge in a specific area without a
particular purpose of application. In simple words, we can say that it only ventures
“to know”.
Architectural Research, on the other hand, is a type of research that is “practice-
based” (Discover to Apply) or “practice-led” (Apply to Discover). It usually involves
Sources/References:
 Menezes de Sequiera, J. (2011). “Architecture and Education Journal”. Accessed December 3, 2014 from
<http://revistas.ulusofona.pt/index.php/revlae/article/download/2684/2047>
 “What is Architectural Research?” (n.d.). RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). Accessed December 3, 2014 from
<http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAProfessionalServices/ResearchAndDevelopment/WhatisArchitecturalResearch.pdf
<
 “ARbD’14 – Fourth International Conference on Architectural Research by Design: Unifying Academia and Practice through
Research” (n.d.) ARbD. Accessed December 3, 2014 from http://researchbydesign-arch.ulusofona.pt
 Groat, L. Wang D. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken New Jersey
Perez, Yrral Jaime C. December 3, 2014
AR46/RESMEAR – A01 Architect R. Trinidad

the synthesis of academic/theoretical and practical methods, integrated to establish

an architectural solution to satisfy the whole inquiry of the project.

Sources/References:
 Menezes de Sequiera, J. (2011). “Architecture and Education Journal”. Accessed December 3, 2014 from
<http://revistas.ulusofona.pt/index.php/revlae/article/download/2684/2047>
 “What is Architectural Research?” (n.d.). RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). Accessed December 3, 2014 from
<http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAProfessionalServices/ResearchAndDevelopment/WhatisArchitecturalResearch.pdf
<
 “ARbD’14 – Fourth International Conference on Architectural Research by Design: Unifying Academia and Practice through
Research” (n.d.) ARbD. Accessed December 3, 2014 from http://researchbydesign-arch.ulusofona.pt
 Groat, L. Wang D. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken New Jersey