design and applied technology teaching kit for senior

Video: Design Processin Architecture

Design and InnovationDesign and Applied Technology Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum

[Teacher notes]

Organizer Sponsor Research Team

ContentsPreamble

Teaching plan i

DisclaimerCreate Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.© 2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects

Lesson 1: Design Process in Architecture

1.1 What is Architectural Design?

1.2 Considerations during the Design Process in Architecture

1.2.1 Analysis of the Site

1.2.2 Assigning Programme

1.2.3 Spatial Design

1.2.4 Detailing

1.3 Architectural Design Presentation

1.3.1 Graphical Representation

1.3.2 Physical Modelling

1.3.3 Multi-media Presentation

Summary, Key words and Further reading

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Design and Applied Technology | Video: Design Process in Architecture

Topic 01Video: Design Process in Architecture

Major teaching areasDesign and Applied TechnologyStrand 1 Design and Innovation

• Design in Practice

• Design Consideration

• Design and Communication

Related teaching areasDesign and Applied TechnologyStrand 2 Technological Principles

• Nature of Technology

Strand 3 Value and Impact

• Values in Technology and Design

• Historical and Cultural Influence

• Entrepreneurship and Enterprise

Learning objectives• To understand what architectural design is about

• To be able to carry out an architectural design process

• To see how to prepare an effective and comprehensive presentation of an architectural design

Teaching planLesson Contents

Lesson 1

Design Process in Architecture

• 1.1 Understanding architectural design

• 1.2 Stages of the design process in architecture

• 1.3 Preparing an effective and comprehensive presentation

These are supplementary teaching notes for the video ‘Design Process in Architecture’.

Interdisciplinary teaching areasVisual Arts: • Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in context

• Visual Arts Making

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Lesson 1 Design Process in Architecture


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1.1 What is Architectural Design?Architectural design is a balance between pragmatic requirements and aesthetics.Like all disciplines of design, architectural design must address user needs and should be aesthetically pleasing. • User activities determine what spaces a building should contain.

• The arrangement of spaces facilitates human activities and can also create beauty and enjoyment.

Architectural design creates three-dimensional form.A building is designed through the horizontal and vertical arrangement of spaces with different proportions and relationships. This requires careful consideration of how spaces should be linked in a user-friendly manner.

Architectural design must be structurally feasible.A building must be structurally stable and self-supporting in order to be usable. Like other elements of the building, the structure must be designed carefully.• Co-operation of architectural designers and engineers is important.• Model testing can be a way to examine the structural feasibility of the design.

• Structural and detail drawings are required for construction.

Architectural design must be contextually relevant.Architecture should react to its context both physically and culturally. A good building can create an identity for a place by relating to its site, whether urban or rural. Moreover, sustainable architectural design should consider its impacts on the larger environment.

Topic 01Video: Design Process in Architecture


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1.2 Considerations during the Design Process in Architecture

Importance of the review processBetween each stage of design, evaluations should be carried out. An architect might carry out this process of review with colleagues, clients, and local officials; design students might work with tutors or classmates.

Record of ideasIt is important to keep a record of the evolution of ideas during the design process. These records could be in the following formats:

• Sketches• Photography• Models• Collage

Even ideas that seem irrelevant and primitive may prove useful in a later stage of design or in another architectural project.

Trial and error during the design processA good design arises from many experiments, both successes and failures. Do not be afraid of making mistakes but simply keep visualizing your ideas to provide different alternatives for design solutions.

q Conceptual sketches © Helen Fan (Above) Chris Wong (Below)

Four major stages we would go through during a design process in architecture:• Analysis of the site • Assigning the programmes • Spatial design • Design for details

In reality, architectural designs evolve not necessary in a step-by-step basis, but concept can comefrom one of these aspects and influencing the other parts.

Site Analysis

Programmes

Spat

ial Design

Design

for Details

© Helen Fan


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1.2.1 Analysis of the SiteIn an architectural design, both the physical and cultural contexts need to be addressed.• How can the building relate to the surrounding

neighbourhood?• What kinds of public or shared spaces can the building provide for

the surrounding neighbourhood? What does the existing context have, and what does it need?

• What is the cultural context of the site? What is its historical, current and future urban development?

• Should new buildings adopt a harmonious architectural language to fit in with the existing urban fabric, or would a contrasting style provide a stronger identity?

• How should the building interact with the physical or environmental context? Should it sink into the earth, sit on the ground, or should it be lifted above the ground?

Methodology:• Mapping of urban fabric• Research in museums and archives • Photography• Sketches• On-site survey• physical modelling• Computer modelling

p On-site sketches © Helen Fanq Site analysis diagrams © Helen Fan

1. What are the impacts of the building on the urban landscape?

2. What is the urban development of the site? Should new additions be constructed in phases or all at once?

Evaluation Points


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1.2.2 Assigning ProgrammeOnce the context has been analysed, a designer can begin to think about how to fit the required programmes onto the site. The initial design concept might be context-based, user-based or aesthetically based, depending on the client’s desires as outlined in the design brief.

Programmes should be assigned in a logical, functional, user-friendly manner. Research on precedents can help a designer to understand the typical arrangement of programmes in a particular building type.

• What is the desired spatial hierarchy?• How should the building be oriented on the site?• Where should public or private spaces be placed?• Are there any outdoor spaces?• How should the programme be arranged: vertically or horizontally,

symmetrically or randomly? • What is the solid and void relationship of the overall building form? Is it

open or it is enclosed? Methodology:

• A schedule of accommodation is a list of all functions required and the areas needed.

• Spatial relationship diagrams can help to design a programmatic arrangement corresponding to the site.

• Sketches• Collage• Physical modelling• Computer modelling

1: Assigning programmes on a site plan2: Massing models of existing context

and proposed circulation3: Massing sketch4: Massing model

© Helen Fan

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1. How would you describe the overall form of the architecture?

2. What are the spatial relationships between the architecture and the site?

3. How is the building accessed?

Evaluation Points


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1.2.3 Spatial DesignDifferent configurations of programmes will result in different spatial experiences and relationships. The subdivision of the total site area for each programme may begin for practical reasons, but a designer must also consider vertical and horizontal layouts, spatial proportioning, and other concepts:

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1: Formal experiments explore how a design fits into the existing context2: Models can help to test out spatial ideas © Helen Fan3: Perspective drawings map a sequence of spaces

© Helen Fan

1. Does the interior space fulfil required programmes?

2. Does the building provide an interesting spatial experience?

3. Is the building energy efficient?

Evaluation Points

Circulation and movement of users • Entrances, exits and means of escape• Pedestrian and vehicle paths• Width of corridors • Lifts, escalators, ramps and staircases Interaction of indoor space and outdoor space• Balconies and terraces• Semi-open spaces Size of rooms and common spaces• Room widths and depths• Storey heights Arrangement of rooms• Along an axis or loose, organic organization• Single-loaded or double-loaded corridor Openings of the building masses• Windows and doors• Courtyards

Sustainable Design• Natural lighting and ventilation• Green roof and wall• Shading devices Universal Design• Barrier-free design for all kinds of users Further development of the form of the architecture • Flat roof/ Pitch roof/ Roof with skylight• Round shape/ rectangular shape/ sculptural form Structural arrangement• Structural grid• Columns and load-bearing walls• Electrical and mechanical fixtures

Methodology:• Architectural plans and sections• Perspective drawings• Physical models• Computer models


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1.2.4 DetailingA building’s details can intensify the users’ spatial experience and perception of scale. Materials can enrich the textures and colours of a space to create a particular feeling. Choices of materials and colours• Concrete may create a cold but sturdy feeling• Wood creates warmth but it is not water-resistant• Steel provides many design options Structural details• Wall-ceiling junctions• Column-ceiling junctions• Overhanging roof/ Green roof• Innovative construction technology Finishing• Exposed structure• Wrapped structure with a finishing material Details of windows, doors and railings Artificial lighting installation• Lighting for working• Lighting for exhibition Acoustic Design• Noise barriers• Sound enhancement

Methodology:• Architectural detail plans and sections• Material selection diagrams• Physical models• Computer models

1: Structural design over an architectural plan2: Detail of a door hinge 3: Choices of marble 4: Choice of colours and materials

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1. How do the details enrich the users’ spatial experience?

2. Are the design elements structurally feasible?

3. Does the design continue to convey the initial design concept while fulfilling the needs of the user?

Evaluation Points


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1.3 Architectural Design PresentationA full presentation should show 1. how the design evolved from a conceptual idea, 2. how the design process was carried out, 3. and what the outcomes of the design process are.

Common ways of presenting architectural design1. Graphical representation2. Physical modelling3. Multi-media presentation

1.3.1 Graphical RepresentationGraphical representation is the most fundamental tool of architectural design. The industry still relies on architectural drawings (plans, sections and elevations) as the central means of communication. Planning your graphical presentation includes

• Picking the right scale Different scales highlight different aspects of the design. Sketches

should also be proportional even when precise scale is not applicable. Common scales are used according to what information the graphical representation wishes to present. Drawings in a range of scales can

help clients and contractors understand the design comprehensively.

Information Scales used

Context analysis 1:2000/ 1:1000

Site-architecture relationship 1:1000/ 1:500

Programmes 1:500/ 1:200/ 1:100

Spatial design 1:200/ 1:100

Structural design 1:100/ 1: 50/ 1: 20

Detail design 1:50/ 1:20/ 1:10/ 1:5

• Choosing the right medium There are many ways to produce graphic representations of an

architectural design. Depending on your skills and the time and resources available, choosing the right medium can convey the

design concept efficiently and effectively.

Concept presenting Medium used

Context analysis Photography/ sketches/ col-lage/ digital drawings

Initial design concept Sketches/ collage/ digital drawings

Architectural design Hand-drawings/ CAD drawings

Spatial experience Perspective drawings/ Compu-ter simulation

Choice of materials Digital drawings/ computer simulation

Detail design CAD drawings/ Computer simulation

1. Always put scale figures and surrounding context into some parts of the presentation.

2. A legend of functions, scale bars and orientation marks should be used for effective communication.

Tips


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t Architectural plan with legends, structural grids, dimensions, scale and orientation and landscape.

q Architectural section showing internal structure, important dimensions and human scale


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1.3.2 Physical ModellingPhysical models can be a vivid simulacrum of an architectural design, showing the whole building or important parts of it. In a presentation, models from different stages of the design process may be shown.

As with graphical representations, things to consider include

• Appropriate scalesDifferent scales of models may be used at different stages of the design process, or to explore different elements. (Refer to this section in Graphical Representation) • Modelling materialsMaking physical models can be time-consuming but it helps understand the design in a three-dimensional way. Some materials are very easy to work with while some are more suitable to convey the final result of the design process. The scale of the model also determines what kind of materials is suitable. A structural model should be a good reflection of materials in real life.

Purposes Medium used

Context analysis Papers/ cardboards/ foam/ acrylic

Massing working models (forms and programmes)

Papers/ cardboards/ foam/ acrylic

Sectional models and presentation models

Papers/ cardboards/ wood/ acrylic/ plaster/ bamboo sticks

Details Wood/ metals/ plastic

Students should be creative and explore different kinds of materials.

1-4: Working models of different design stages5: Sectional model showing structure and interior space

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u Site modelq Sectional model/perspective drawing showing

interaction of spaces

Teaching TipsMore about making models, please refer to Science Topic 03: ‘Model Making Workshop — Structure of Tall Buildings and Towers’.

Teaching TipsFor the practical design process, reference can be made on Liberal Studies Topic 02: ‘Public Housing - improvement in quality of life’.


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1.3.3 Multi-media PresentationThere are many design software available for architects to use. Some software can be used to test building performance, or the materials and lighting of the design. They can also be used to simulate a live tour through the architecture. Animation can be convincing to an audience.

Multimedia should be incorporated wisely into a design presentation to show the overall design, spatial experience or any transformation of the design. However, it should not be the only presentation medium used for the presentation.

Common software used includes• AutoCAD• CorelDRAW• Sketchup• 3D Studio MAX• Rhino• Maya

q Material and lighting simulation in a design software


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1. Design Concept

7. Working Models 8. Presentation Models © Helen Fan

3. Testing of Materials 6. Digital Simulation2. Working Process

5. Architectural Plans and Sections

4. Spatial Design

Examples of Architectural Presentation


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Organizer Sponsor Research Team

Key words

Further reading

Summary1. Architectural design is a balance between user experience and formal aesthetics. A building is a

fusion of three-dimensional spaces that must be structurally feasible and contextually appropriate.2. The four major stages of an architectural design process are: analysis of the site, assigning the

programme, spatial design, and detail design.3. Three common ways of presenting architectural designs are: graphical representation, physical

modelling, and multi-media presentation.

Architectural designContextProgrammeSchedule of accommodationSpatial hierarchy

1. ChicagoArchToday: Architectural Model Making Videos h t tp : / /www.you tube . com/wa tch?v=47 lD_XQ5 ID8

2. Barry Berkus: How To Think Like An Architect: The Design Process h t tp : / /www.you tube . com/wa tch?v=vmHoG icPQQQ

3. Architect Bjarke Ingels: Mountain Dwelling h t tp : / /www.b ig.dk /p ro jec t s /mtn/

4. RTHK 2007 : 「漫遊城市建築」(Cantonese) h t tp : / / r thk .hk /e lea r n ing /a r ch i t ec tu r e tour / i ndex .h tm

5. Hong Kong Institute of Architects「建築師的見觸思」. Hong Kong: ET Press, 2002


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