Architectural Design

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1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

Chapter 2 final_.qxd:layouts to chapter one 7/24/10 9:01 AM Page 35

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The design studio ›

The design process

› The design project

The design process

This chapter describes the cerebral process of design

and the skills needed to implement design ideas and

develop as an architectural designer.

Architectural design problems are complex and require

creative solutions. Although architects often make

provocative, didactic or stylistic judgements about

different forms of architecture that they either value

or deride, there is not one ‘correct’ way to design.

Architectural experiences, influences and inspirational

tutors or colleagues contribute towards the making

of an architect but each person responds differently

to these stimuli and must make their own value

judgements. Ultimately, the moment of design springs

from the individual imagination, no matter how

collaborative the circumstances that provoked it.

This chapter attempts to define experiences and skills

that are common to all architects engaged in the design

process and to give substance to some of the more

cerebral and intangible qualities of architectural design.

The better the architect understands their actions, the

greater their freedom to develop and explore the different

possibilities inherent in their own design process.

Project: Hearth House

Location: London, UK

Architect: AOC

Date: 2010

This drawing, named a ‘Spatial

Constitution’ by the architects,

represents all of the significant

activities that they hope their

clients will engage in while living

in the house.

1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

Chapter 2 final_.qxd:layouts to chapter one 7/24/10 9:02 AM Page 35