DESIGN PROCESS IN ARCHITECTURE PROFESSIONAL Design Process As with all forms of design… …Architectural Design is concerned with satisfying human needs. The outcome or result of architectural design is a large-scale environment, or building. The activity of architectural design consists of certain kinds of tasks done in a specific order, the Architectural Design Process. …with a new building, or the enlargement of an existing building The Architectural Design Process begins when a client identifies a need to accommodate new or expanded activities… The successful or chosen architect will be hired – or commissioned – to carry out the design project. 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 architect then produces a Design Program. The architect works closely with the client in order to clearly understand their user needs. This is a written document that spells out the characteristics that the new building must have in order to satisfy the identified needs. • energy and environmental impacts • how it relates to its surroundings • its style or overall appearance It begins with a Problem Statement - design objectives - describing the general characteristics of the proposed building. The Design Program is a design brief for the building.These are also referred to as design criteria. These are detailed and specific properties that the building must have in order to be successful. The Program also includes Design Requirements. Proximity Relationships - how close the spaces must be to each other and the type of access between them. Sizes and Dimensions - the floor area and critical lengths and heights of the spaces Space List - the functional areas that are to be provided. The Design Requirements includeFixtures 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. 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) 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.
The architect must review, evaluate and comment on the Program, in a separate report and be in agreement with the client before proceeding. 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. 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 Schematic Design phase 1. the creation of 'Bubble Diagrams‘ illustrating the approximate size and relative position of spaces, both the horizontally and vertically; 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; 3. studying the Massing Models on the site considering: • 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 4. making adjustments to the Schematic Plans and Massing Models to closely integrate the building and site …the building is shaped to fit the site and/or the site is altered to accommodate the building. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. …the fabrication of doors and screens and the assembly of the partitions that create the interior space plan of the building. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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.
At this time, the architect will use the Contract Documents to verify that the work has been done correctly. Step
1:
Interview
and
initial
discussions
Often a couple of architects are interviewed, the homeowner(s) and the architect(s) figure out if there is a good fit with one another. Sometimes a homeowner just knows who they want to partner with (based on a raving recommendation or a specific design philosophy, etc.) and they skip the interview step. Typically the architects have a portfolio of past projects to review and possibly examples of their process.
Step
2:
Information
gathering
+
documentation
Homeowner goals, needs and requirements are discussed. The architects visit
the
site,
review the
existing
conditions
and
take
as-built
measurements of what is there (existing home/property). A set of as-built plans are created and a copy is given to the homeowner for their records. These are simple floor plans and exterior elevations – a minimal set showing what currently exists on site and nothing more. A surveyor is typically contacted at this stage and scheduled to produce a site survey – this survey is eventually incorporated into the as-built documents. The architects visit the city/county building department to review applicable records which may include as-built drawings of an existing home; previous surveys; public records such as previous on the property. The architects gather information from state and city agencies regarding specific land use and building code requirements as well as pre-submittal and pre-permit procedures. The architects also create a work plan to outline what will be done and by when. Gathering information with the homeowner(s):
Survey:
As-built drawings of an existing home:
Step
3:
Schematic
Design
and
Feasibility
The architects generate 2-3 preliminary designs incorporating the information from step two. At this stage the architects are also bringing design concepts to the table (the stuff architects learned in school). Maybe there was a specific site feature that could be enhanced with the new architecture or opportunities within the project not previously discussed. The architects explore the sequence of how you approach the house and move through the house. How the home is experienced is a focus of this stage. The general locations of the functions within the house are considered and graphically represented in diagram form. The graphics, illustrations and sketches are just diagrams at this stage – it’s not architecture yet. Features like windows may be added schematically or not at all. Simple plans and elevations are produced to represent relationships among spaces and the basic envelope shape (think about it like carving a simple, dumb model out of a block of clay). Material options start to become part of the discussion and a target budget is established/confirmed for the overall project. There are typically 2-4 homeowner meetings involved with this step. The homeowner makes decisions with help from the architects regarding the various schematic options. An overall design strategy is chosen.
Code
analysis
and
envelope
possibilities:
Relationship of functions, site considerations, massing studies:
Relationship of functions, massing studies:
Circulation studies, light studies:
Step
4:
Design
Development
+
Permit
Documents
As decisions continue to be made, the architects develop the schematic drawings into permit documents. The graphics evolve from diagrams to actual architecture at this step. The drawings are refined in regards to details and methods. Materials are decided on and the architects figure out how everything fits together (how does the floor meet the wall: base trim, flush trim, no trim). Window openings are further defined with mullions and opening locations. Information from other consultants, like the structural engineer, is developed and coordinated with the design drawings. Specifications for materials, fixtures/ appliances, assembly details, and relevant code information are incorporated into the project. Recommendations from trades, suppliers, and manufacturers are added to the drawing set. The homeowner continues to make decisions at a more specific level of detail (four or six burner gas range, which direction do the windows open?) Material studies and furniture layouts:
Comparative material options:
Building assembly and material breakout:
Elevation and material studies:
Step
5:
Construction
Documents
+
Permit
Acquisition
A set of permit drawings is a simplified construction set. The permit
documents are used to submit, coordinate, and obtain the building permit from the city or county. The city/county doesn’t typically care to review each and every detail of a home – they just want to make sure you’re meeting state, city and local codes. It is typically an effective use of time to turn in a permit set early, covering the requirements, to get the ball rolling with the city while the architects continue to work on a more thorough drawing set required for construction. The drawings continue to develop down to the very last details (how the handrail bracket connects to the wall, how the tile floor in the shower is sloped to drain…) Construction documents:
Step
6:
Selection
of
a
General
Contractor
General contractors are interviewed and a good fit is established. Sometimes a homeowner just knows who they want to partner with (based on a raving recommendation or a specific building philosophy, etc.) and they
skip
Step
7:
the Construction
interview
step. Administration
The documents and drawings for the project are now complete and construction begins. Typically with a project of any complexity the architect is retained to answer questions, deal with clarifications and administer revisions if necessary. The architect also protects the interests of the homeowner and the integrity of the design. The architect reviews the invoices, overall costs and scheduling. There is also the option for a homeowner to go the design-build route – but that’s another post…
DESIGN PROCESS IN STUDIO
•
1. Name Title Class Period
•
2. Definition of the Problem
•
3. Brainstorming
4. Research and Generating Ideas( with Citations) • •
5. Identification of Criteria and constraints
•
6. Pros and Cons for multiple ideas
7. Design proposal including sketches of the final design • •
8. Development of the product/prototype
•
9. Testing and evaluating the design
•
10. Refining the design
11. success •
The
solution
with
demonstration
of
DESIGN STUDIO OF A RESCIDENCE.
Steps involved in the design process of a rescidence.starting from concept attainment to the final outcome.