Architectural Design

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Architectural design

Conclusion

The interviews with the five architectural practices in

Chapter 3 reveal some of the values and approaches that

they share. They all have ambitions for their projects that

go beyond the apparent scope of the initial brief and they

look beyond their own immediate discipline into areas as

diverse as art practice, politics, craft, music, material

science, philosophy, literature and theatre.

Collaborative ways of working with people both inside

and outside the construction industry and the use of

working methods from other disciplines nourish the work

of each architect. An interest in the human condition also

underpinned much of the discussion. Each architect spoke

with great skill to communicate complex ideas. Articulating

ideas in an engaging way is not only important for

communication with clients, contractors and other interested

parties, it also allows the architect to test and search for

meaning in discussion with their colleagues. Instinctive

moves were analysed and understood by the architects.

Threads linking their own work were picked up and sense

made of them. Patterns were established and interrogated.

Where the architects differed in their attitudes and

approaches, issues of emphasis, specialisation and agenda

were present. The will to innovate and to pursue a line of

enquiry has led each of the five practices to develop different

areas of expertise such as participatory methods, trans-

disciplinary explorations and material innovations. The

precise nature of this emphasis varies, but each new project

forms the next step in the overall development of a practice’s

pursuit of meaning in their work. Graphical communication

must respond to these variations in approach and the

architect must use all of their skills to represent the qualities

of their design and do it justice.

The aim of this book is to act as a guide to design-studio

culture, enabling everyone to participate fully on their own

terms; to give you knowledge and therefore control over your

own design process; and to offer inspiration with examples

of the work and working methods of different architects.

Where possible, mysteries surrounding the learning and

activities of architectural design have been unravelled or,

at the very least, the reasons for their existence explained.

Project: From Earth Literary

Festival

Location: Oxford, UK

Designer: Huda Jaber

Date: 2010

Text

1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

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