The act of designing in architecture is a complex process.

Many designers, when probed for

reasons to explain their actions, are either unable to answer questions, or provide
explanations that are not true descriptions of their actions. Frequently the designer will
answer that his or her reason for making a particular design decision is based on 'feeling' or
'intuition.' Under this model the design process assumes a 'mystical' aura. Architectural
designers can create, yet are unable to say how they do so. Often that which can be
explicitly discussed by the designer is the least significant part of his or her design process. It
is unlikely that designers are 'channeling' information from cosmic sources. Rather, they are
working with knowledge that is largely tacit. This thesis attempts to de-mystify the process of
architectural design. Through a close scrutiny of existing literature, incorporation of personal
experience as an architect, and testing of theories with lay, novice, and expert designers a
theory of design methodology is proposed.

Throughout its years of development, the understanding of design problems

and design process has been revised considerably but still our current
understanding of design is incomplete. Yet architectural theory is considered to
be the act of thinking, discussing, or most importantly writing about
architecture. It is taught in most architecture schools and is practiced by the
world's leading architects. It is often didactic, and theorists tend to stay close to
or work from within schools. It has existed in some form since antiquity, and as
publishing became more common, then architectural theory gained an
increased richness. Books, magazines, and journals published an amount of
works by architects and critics in the 20th century. As a result, styles and
movements formed and dissolved much more quickly than other modes in
earlier history. The paper expounds the relation between architectural theories
and design methodologies, and how do theory influence design methodology.
The paper is analysing the relation between them, discussing the designers’
supporting and practicing architectural theories in their designs, yet some of
them can’t fulfil or practice the theories which they admit in architecture, but
can’t be fulfilled in the practical field due to many factors; owners’
requirements, site constraints…..etc. The paper will spot light on the first
influence, mainly in the period of post modernism and how many theories had
been shifted and changed to match this period and had been affecting in its
architecture. The paper will introduce and analyse some examples which
illustrate using architectural theories in design.

ECHNOLGICAL DESIGN Architectural Design Process

Architectural Design Process As with all forms of technological design… The outcome or
result of architectural design is a large-scale environment, or building. …Architectural Design
is concerned with satisfying human needs.
Architectural Design Process The activity of architectural design… …consists of certain kinds of
tasks done in a specific order, the… Architectural Design Process.
Architectural Design Process The Architectural Design Process begins when a client
identifies a need to accommodate new or expanded activities… …with a new building, or the
enlargement of an existing building.
Architectural Design Process The client will interview a number of architectural firms in order
to determine which one will have the combination of experience, skill and resources that will
make them the best choice to design the building. The ‘successful’ or chosen architect will be
hired – or commissioned – to carry out the design project.
6. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process The architect works closely with
the client in order to clearly understand their user needs. The architect then produces a Design
Program. This is a written document that spells out the characteristics that the new building must
have in order to satisfy the identified needs.
Architectural Design Process The Design Program is a design brief for the building. It begins
with a Problem Statement - design objectives - describing the general characteristics of the
proposed building. • its style or overall appearance • how it relates to its surroundings •
energy and environmental impacts
Architectural Design Process The Program also includes Design Requirements. These are
detailed and specific properties that the building must have in order to be successful. These
are also referred to as design criteria.
Architectural Design Process The Design Requirements include: Space List - the functional
areas that are to be provided. Sizes and Dimensions - the floor area and critical lengths and
heights of the spaces. Proximity Relationships - how close the spaces must be to each other and
the type of access between them.
Architectural Design Process The Design Requirements include: Fixtures and Fittings - detailed
built-in features and equipment required to support the functions of the spaces. Special Features
- anything unusual that must be provided in order for the spaces to function properly.
Architectural Design Process Working with the client, the architect will also… …identify the
budget (maximum cost) for the project, divided into individual cost elements, such as site
services, parking and roadways, landscaping, foundations, structure, building envelope, etc)
Architectural Design Process Working with the client, the architect will also… …determine the
project schedule, including critical dates and lengths of time required for various parts of the
design and construction work.
Architectural Design Process Frequently, the client will hire an independent consultant, usually
another architect, to complete the building Program; someone who is a specialist in this type of
building. The selected design architect must review, evaluate and comment on the Program, in a
separate report… …and be in agreement with the client before proceeding.
Architectural Design Process With the Program complete, and there to guide the design
activities, the architect will next generate ideas. This part of the architectural design process is
called Schematic Design.
Architectural Design Process Schematic Design is a search for an essential organizing
principle… …an idea that will suggest the overall arrangement and form for individual and
groups of spaces that make up the building. There are a series of steps to the Schematic Design
phase:
Architectural Design Process 1. the creation of 'Bubble Diagrams‘ illustrating the approximate
size and relative position of spaces, both the horizontally and vertically; Schematic Design
17. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process 2. 'fleshing out' the Bubble
Diagrams into two-dimensional rough Schematic Plan layouts and three-dimensional Massing
Models, by incorporating specified floor areas and critical dimensions (lengths and heights) of
Spaces; Schematic Design
18. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process 3. studying the Massing Models
on the site considering: Schematic Design • the location of the building relative to property lines
(setbacks), topography and other physical features • the orientation of the building to sun, winds,
other buildings and surroundings • access to/from the building and site
19. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process 4. making adjustments to the
Schematic Plans and Massing Models to closely integrate the building and site Schematic
Design …the building is shaped to fit the site and/or the site is altered to accommodate the
building.
20. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Schematic Design, a
number of alternative design ideas are generated, and brought to the same level of resolution.
This process involves switching back- and-forth between two-dimensional Schematic Plans and
three- dimensional Massing Models checking that the requirements of the design Program are
generally being satisfied.
21. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process The alternative Schematic
Designs are presented to the client... …who comments on, selects and approves the 'best'
design alternative for further elaboration in the Design Development stage of the process.
22. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Design Development, the
architect revises the approved design in response to the client’s comments and needs… …and
the Schematic Design is developed to a greater level of detail.
23. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Design Development, the
architect coordinates the work of other design professionals who are responsible for different
aspects of the building. Engineers who design the structural, mechanical and electrical services
inside the building.
24. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Design Development, the
architect coordinates the work of other design professionals who are responsible for different
aspects of the building. Civil engineers and landscape architects who design the grading,
drainage, planting and site features outside the building.
25. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Design Development
decisions are made about the materials and methods of construction to be used… …especially
with respect to the building envelope… …in order to ‘realize’ the design concept that was
established by the Schematic Design.
26. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Design Development the
space plan is worked out in detail to ensure that the layout of the interior and circulation spaces,
will allow the building to function the way it is intended to… …and building service systems are
designed that will support the function of individual spaces.
27. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process During Design Development a
cost estimate is prepared to ensure that the design is within the established budget. Also, the
project schedule is reviewed to make sure that it can still be achieved.
28. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process The developed design is
presented to the client for review and approval. At this point, the overall design, and the budget,
are ‘frozen’. Design work now proceeds to the next stage: Contract Documents.
29. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process The Contract Documents stage is
when working drawings and specifications are produced. These documents use a combination of
graphics (drawings) and written information (notes, schedules and specifications) describe the
building thoroughly and precisely enough that it will be possible to construct it.
30. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process In order to describe the building
thoroughly and precisely enough that it will be possible to construct it, the architect and
consultants must carry out a enormous amount Of Detail Design.
31. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process Detail Design is the design of the
many construction details of the building, such as… …the way that the materials and
components of the building envelope are joined together to create a continuous air and vapor
barrier.
32. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process Detail Design is the design of the
many construction details of the building, such as… …the arrangement, size and shape of stairs,
ramps, elevators and other parts of the building’s circulation system.
33. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process Detail Design is the design of the
many construction details of the building, such as… …the fabrication of doors and screens and
the assembly of the partitions that create the interior space plan of the building.
34. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process Detail Design also includes the
design of the many fixtures and fittings – built-in components of the building - such as cabinets
and counters… …and the selection of interior finishes, such as floor coverings, ceilings, paint
and coatings. For this work the architect may engage the services of another design professional
- an interior designer.
35. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process The Contract Documents will be
used by potential constructors to prepare quotations - to tender competing bids - setting out the
price they would charge to construct the building. Once a constructor has been selected, the
documents will form part of a legal agreement – a contract – between the constructor and the
client/owner.
36. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process Portions of the documents will be
used by each of the many sub-trades that carry out specific parts of the work (concrete forming
and pouring, structural steel erection, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, etc).
37. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process The constructor will use the
contract documents to coordinate and schedule the work of the sub-trades so that everything is
done safely and on-time.
38. TECHNOLGICAL DESIGN – Architectural Design Process At this time, the architect will use
the Contract Documents to verify that the work has been done correctly. During the Construction
stage of the project, the architect will make periodic site visits to review and report on the
progress of the work, and to help resolve any problems that come up.