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Strategic Design, A Case Study:

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Strategic Design, A Case Study:

Long ago there existed an ancient ‘city gate’. It represents a story that came to light, as part of an archeological dig that occurred in Israel. The account provides interesting parallels to how strategic design was used throughout history. It’s an astonishing account of a real-life city gate that reveals timeless applications.    

The Megiddo Gates, A Case Study:

The ancient city gate I am referring to, is the discovery of the Gates of ‘Megiddo’. It was through the archeological dig, a discovery revealed an ancient design of a long lost city gate. The design of the gate system entailed an enclosed passageway that was composed of internal chambers. It appears the chambers served to provide added protection, if any unwanted invaders managed to enter the gate system.  

The design of the ‘Megiddo Gate’ (sketch depicted above) reveals the floor plan that was discovered. As the details emerged, it became clear that this was an unusual gate system that included  much more than a single point of protection. But contained a series of redundant protections. In addition, it was later understood from historical records that the gate contained a civic function. 

The archeological dig also revealed that the structure was built with a substantial foundation and durable materials that could still be observed. In addition, the wall structure was built to include an internal passage way that could access the noted chambers. In turn the city gate became a fortified structure that housed diverse functions while also protecting the city. The design fundamentally changed the typical operation of the city entrance gate and operation. It was as though the city gate itself had become a symbol of governance for this city. 

This ancient city gate revealed a design mindset, that incorporated an understanding of the various challenges of its day. The Megiddo gates provided an innovative design approach, that made it extraordinarily difficult for an apposing army to enter through this gate. In addition, the design provided a limited amount of space which seems to have easily supported  supplied the city but made it difficult to have “uninvited guests” enter. 

The Essence of Strategic Design:

The noted case study of the ‘Megiddo city gate’, provides a case study into advanced functions and operations that dramatically improved how this city operated and was protected. The design solution represented advancements over the status quo. Interestingly, the gate advancements did not require new material, or technology, but rather demonstrated an emphasis on  innovation through its design. The design demonstrates an emphasis on utilizing wisdom and understanding in its design process to solve some of the problems of its day.  

Challenges Can inspire Good Design:

From a modern perspective, the design of the Megiddo city gate, depicts a fascinating account strategic design. Solving major challenge’s of its day with strategy and design. This astonishing case study delineates a way of advancing solutions that in addition to resolving one problem can add great value, and benefit for the human beings who lived in this city. It became much more than a fancy facade or skin deep solution, it was a unique and thoughtful solution. 

Modern Day Applications:

A work of architecture requires vision, analysis, conceptualizing and planning. In an endeavor such as this can benefit from utilizing the principles of strategic design, both  to realize solutions and transcend the problem. Much can be accomplished with this methodology and way of thinking. The city gates of Megiddo depicts an example of an ancient city gate that used strategic design to make substantial improvements. In the process it created a seat of governance and a high level of protection against disorder and chaos.      

Summary:

  • Megiddo’s city gate system provides a real-life example of how strategic design can be applied powerfully.
  • Improving function, creating order, enhancing operations and creating substancial value.
  • Provides an holistic approach to developing any project
  • A powerful design tool that created a prototype solution that could be applied to other cities.
  • Serving as the progenitor for solving an identified problem
  • Advancing solutions that enhance functionality, and create order
  • Strategic Design represent both the art and the science,
  • Multi-faceted methodology to enhance and improve the staus quo
  • Make effective improvements to infrastructure,
  • Provides an excellent feasibility analysis toolprior to construction.
  • Can minimize risk or unintended consequences while making improvements.

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A Planning Process

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A Planning Process:

I use the term “Planning” here to delineate a process that engages the mind intellectually. As an exercise that requires some course of action or goal to be achieved. Additionally, any one approach may not be universally applied. However, it is interesting how an architectural approach to planning actually can be applied to just about any approach that requires a solution or course of action.  

An Architectural Approach to Planning:

As architects, we plan many things, building design, site planning, even a process of developing a project to name a few. Of coarse, there many aspects to planning. However, I would like to focus on how an architect would approach the planning process.

Unfortunately so many of our initial ideas don’t always turn out so great, and we need a way to work through it.  Steven Spielberg said “all good ideas start out as bad ideas; thats why it takes so long.” That about sums up why planning can be so challenging to start but oh so necessary. 

A great way to begin, includes developing the building program and functional requirements. This engages a thoughtful process and exposes some challenges along the way. Working through the program, will establish the preliminaries. Unfortunately, many homes that are mass produced will by-pass this planning process. Sometimes, it may be because of some predisposed idea that developing a plan is too costly! However, its not uncommon that a homeowner who does not plan for every facet of their new home or even a room addition, will learn that decision not to plan is a very costly one and may even lead to disaster. There are other ideas floating around that somehow thinks that Cinderellas slipper can be forced on. I think we can all see the hunor in that, but its astonishing how many homeowners will just have their project built through a contractor with little or no planning.   

It is said that understanding is worth its weight in gold. When it comes to planning a new home project achieving an understanding of the desired building program, schedule, budget, and other such requirements, are certainly part of this process. However a planning process can and should go deeper into other areas of the project, such as challenges or perceived problem(s) to be solved. Often the recognition that the status quo is not working for you can lead to substantial solutions that would otherwise not even be broached. 

The planning process should lead to clarity and add value to the project by way of thoughtful development that comes out of the planning. This planning process provides the initial steps, but also  develops and organizes the building objectives and goals for later stages; providing clarity at each step. Through this planning process, the project starts a dialogue, and may even create a story of whats important. ( BTW, this planning process alone, can and does add substantial value to the home and it mitigates the risk early in the process. The savings alone can exceed the design professionals fee for planning a new home project.)

Hiring an architect for your residential project may not be possible for everyone. However, it can be beneficial on many levels, to seek a consultation, and perhaps engage in an initial planning stage to help you develop ideas and recognize problem areas before you start. The architect’s experience and ability to provide guidance through what can be a complicated endeavor, helps the client achieve greater efficiencies and aesthetic value that are simply hard to put a price on. This planning process simply provides the client with site specific solutions that are infinity more valuable than an arbitrary process or worse no planning that only serves the factory or assembly line worker! 

A Case Study:

By way of a simple example, If the architect can design a residential plan operate more efficiently, even by 100sf, that can represent a major cost savings. i.e., for a building cost of say $250/sf, that can be a $25,000 savings! (using a very conservative building cost for SF value.) This is a tiny example, however it provides a clear advantage for the case of at minimum to have a planning process in place. In addition, aligning all  the diverse functions, budget and aesthetic preference provides solutions that are well thought out, and minimize risk. The value of the way we design our homes or places of work can be substantial. Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us.”  Our building infrastructure has an effect on our emotional and physical needs as humans. It can determine the quality of our physical lives. Indeed the hight, the width and the depth all come to play a vital part in our physical world.   

When a schematic plan is developed, it establishes a process in which you are able to order your goals and objective. As ideas are developed, and greater levels of information can be established this can serve as a preliminary cost estimation tool. A building contractor can review these documents and provide preliminary cost estimates, based on specific square footage and design parameters. It’s a great way to gauge your budget and the cost implications at an early stage. This can also facilitate effective revisions long before the project is built.  

Utilizing an Architect:

Like soo many things in life, success can only begin to develop by having a plan or vision of what you want to achieve. Having a planning process in place can greatly help in clarify objectives and create clear and meaningful goals. It’s a framework, and provides guidance. However, having gone through many of these planning processes it still astonishes me that some insist that can proceed without one.   

As you set out on your journey to create something, before you engage the trip, be sure to plan and have a process in place that you can build upon. I find it helpful to be able to tweak and revise the plan as I grow in my understanding. 

This process of planning as an architect does can be quite foreign to some, however the process does work across all disciplines. As an architect, I can help many clients to begin the process and help them envision the project. In short, with no guide, chaos may rule the day and even undermine the project. The process that leads to bringing ideas and concepts to fruition, can make your dreams a reality. Even if you don’t hire an architect, look at the planning process as a friend. 

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