Fundamentals of Architectural Design Page 1 of 11

Fundamentals of Architectural Design

* before concepts

Architectural design as a creative process engages to the following considerations:

Sense of place - site and context

Andy Goldsworthy artist Architecture in context



Image source: World wide web

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Program - function and inspired-use/ celebration of use


Assyafaah Mosque, Singapore by Forum Architect



Igualada cemetery, Spain by EMBT













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Human dimension - experience, celebration of human spirit and social values


Atelier Muji, Japan Ashimizu cold footbath, Tokyo



Assyafaah Mosque, Singapore by Forum Architect
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Making poetics of construction: materials, assembly and detail

A poetic act of revelation related to experience and meaning.




Image source: World wide web


Igualada cemetery, Spain by EMBT

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In order to design buildings with a sensuous connection to life, one
must think in a way that goes far beyond form and construction.

Peter Zumthor



Bruder Klaus Chapel, Germany by Peter Zumthor

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Mood board - conceptual expression

Potential to become powerful factors in informing/forming a strong conceptual basis for
architectural form, space, experience, and meaning.





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Concepts - conceptual thinking

* ideas and issues
that have value and provide meaning.

* explore
how ideas originating from program, site, social/ cultural/ political circumstances, personal
values and interests in architecture, human and experiential considerations, tectonics, etc

THiNK
imagine
DRAW



sketches models sketches








Image source: World wide web
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sketches
models
Image source: World wide web
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Design process - * intuitive + rational

Is the essential mechanism and understanding of how one can successfully move
conceptual and poetic ideas and inspiration (intuitive) into the realm of architecture
and built work (rational).

Simple terms from concepts to making

DESIGN PROCESS
linear sequence
testing and
scanning
systematic
production of
several
alternative
productions
forming
alternatives in a
multi-step
process

Source: Christian Ganshirt - Tools for ideas, An introduction to Architectural Design

THiNK
imagine
DRAW

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Mediums to show exploration during design process could be in the form of sketches,
drawings, paintings, physical models, digital modeling, & etc





Image source: World wide web
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Above all

Your own personal values and agenda


I explore the idea of the journey. Through the journey you arrive at the idea of
variations and you learn that these are as important as the final results... The end
result is no more than a more defined vibration that grows out of all changes that have
been between the initial project and the final construction. In its very formation,
architecture incorporates the idea of the journey, of the variable.

Enric Miralles, EMBT (1955-2000)


Vat Now?


Guide to design process
Stay out of politics.

Observe, breathe and experience architecture.

Be critical and engage in an architectural dialogue.

Architecture is a multi-disciplinary art.

Be experimental and open.

Take risks with precision.

Design is self discovery.

Youve got to give a damn.

Have faith and believe in yourself.







lecture notes prepared by Lisa Foo