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Strategic Design, A Case Study:

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Strategic Design, A Case Study:

This article will focus upon an unusual design of an ancient ‘city gate’. It represents a story that came to light, as part of an archeological dig that occurred in Israel. It represents a fascinating design that was unlike any city gate of its day. It provides interesting parallels about how strategic design was used in early history. This provides an historical perspective on design thinking, but also reveals the timeless application of this method.    

In the 9th century B.C., the city gate had become such an important feature in the ancient world, that it became a necessary part of building a city. However, over time, the city gate  soon became the weak link and no longer served to protect. However this story shows how design thinking was utilized to change all that. 

The Megiddo Gates, A Case Study:

The ancient city I am referring to, is the discovery of the City Gates of ‘Megiddo’. Through detailed records of the archeological dig, a plan was revealed in which the design of the gate system entailed an enclosed passageway that included internal chambers. Special chambers that served to provide added protection.  

The design of the ‘Megiddo Gate’ (sketch depicted above) reveals the actual floor plan of the ancient ruins. As the details emerged this gate system included  much more than a single gate, but also became a place of civic governance and commerce that occurred at the gate itself. In addition, the structure was built with a substantial foundation and long lasting materials. In addition, the wall structure was built to include an internal passage way with chambers, designed to be within the thick walled structure. In turn the walled gate became a fortified building structure that also housed diverse functions while also protecting the city gate. The design fundamentally changed the typical operation of the city entrance gate and influenced the way the city gate functioned. It was as though the city gate itself had become a symbol of royal governance. 

This ancient city gate revealed a design mindset, that incorporated an understanding of the various challenges of its day, not to mention, how it transformed the city.  The new Megiddo gates provided an innovative design approach, that provided enhanced protection. The new gates created several large multi layered walled systems of  large blocks that not only made it stronger, but made it difficult to enter the protected passage. An apposing army that did dare to attempt to break through the first gate, was soon overwhelmed by the multi-gate system and battle ready stations on either side of the passage way. In addition, it was a very tight corridor of articulated rock walls and internal chambers which were easily supplied by a network of internal passage ways behind solid masonry walls. In addition, the slope of the passage way was also inclined. In time of peace, various systems were provided to allow for passage of goods and materials to traverse the passage. 

The Essence of Strategic Design:

The noted case study of the ‘Megiddo city gate’, provides a solution that moves well beyond the typical inherent weakness of the known city gates of its day. It  provided advanced functions and operations that dramatically improved the city on many levels. Both from the standpoint of strength and durability, but also of improved function. The design solution clearly represented advancements over the status quo, and boldly moved beyond the status quo; providing an extensive array of enhanced functionality and value to its citizenry. The new gate system also advanced an innovative novel design in creating “a royal seat of governance”. No longer would the fortified gate be taken for granted, but became a welcomed feature. Interestingly, the Megiddo city gate advancements did not require new material, or technology, but rather demonstrated an emphasis on  innovation of its design, seeking to move well beyond the status quo. The design utilized wisdom over a reliance upon the brute force of an army, or even the standards of its day. But through wisdom and emphasis’ on understanding the problem, was a solution advanced.  

Great Challenges Can inspire Good Design:

The genius of the Megiddo city gate plan, is found in its ability to completely transform the single gate system of its day into a multifaceted ingenious solution. (King Solomon, the king of this region, it is said was responsible for its design,) Through strategic design he was able to significantly improve upon the design and architecture of the city gate. Having identified inherent weakness, solutions were conceived through planning and then developing a prototype. This allowed further refinement and testing of the final structure and design. In addition, the new gate became an identifying feature of this city. Singlehandedly creating a civic function within the gate; serving as a place for the “judicial courts”. Thus, it represented both a security feature as well as a seat of governance.  It interesting how the design embodied an ordered path that protected its people, while achieving additional benefits.   

From a modern perspective, the design of the Megiddo city gate, depicts a fascinating account of what strategic design looks like. Solving major challenge’s of its day with strategy and design set its solutions far along a path that sought to create valuable and effective solutions. This astonishing case study delineates a way of advancing solutions that adds substantial value, benefits and vital functions for human beings. It’s much more than a fancy facade or skin deep solutions, its profoundly authentic and unique. 

Modern Day Applications:

Utilizing a strategic design methodology, can be applied to a work of architecture as well as those that fall outside of its strict boundaries.  We must consider how to effectively utilize the principles of strategic design to realize new solutions and seek to transcend the problems of our day. Much can be accomplished with this methodology and way of thinking. The City gates of the ancient city of Megiddo depicts a real-life example of a city gate that used strategic design to make substantial improvements. At the same time providing a new culture of change. All this from a single example of an ancient city gate that was designed by a wise king almost 3000 years ago!      

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,
  • An excellent feasibility analysis tool.
  • Seeks to minimize risk or unintended consequences while making imprements.

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A Planning Process

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A Simple but Valuable Planning Process:

Developing the architectural design for a home or most any project, requires a process that helps you navigate through a diverse array of decisions. This is especially true when having to coordinate among various stakeholders. This post will focus on a brief overview, to help navigate your project to completion. And establish a simple but needed process.

Good Design Requires Careful Thought:

Often, our initial ideas fall short, and it is not until they are refined and expanded upon that they become worth perusing. This is precisely where planning can become such a wonderful tool of exploration and discovery. Planning provides a way to work through ideas and begin the process of setting a course. It also helps to refine ideas over time and perhaps reveal challenges that need resolution or expose risk. Discovering challenges early can save time and money. A great way to begin, includes forming the building program and functional requirements. This engages a thought process and exposes many facets. Working through your program, will establish the preliminaries. Unfortunately, many homes that are mass produced will by-pass this planning stage. Often it is said to plan is costly! We say to not plan is even more so. And the one size fits all philosophy falls far short of meeting the needs of human beings. It is ironic that in an age of mass produced widgets, that promised low cost and mass production would become so expensive! Can the cost of not falling short of human centric needs even be calculated?   

Only after a good understanding of the building program and client expectations are understood, can the designer begin the next phase of exploring ideas, and possible solutions. But remember, it’s all contingent upon a specific program, which BTW must include the site, and budget requirements, etc. The process leads to clarity and adds value to the project by way of thoughtful development. This planning process provides the initial steps, but also  develops and organizes the building objectives and goals; providing clarity.  Through this planning process, the project starts a dialogue or story of whats important, and where we want to take this project. ( BTW, this planning process alone, can far and above exceed a design professionals fee for the entire project.)

Hiring an architect for your residential project may not be possible for everyone. However, it can be beneficial on many levels, to seek council at minimum on initial planning ideas and assessment. The architect’s experience and ability to think holistically and work through various solutions beyond just the standard stock plan approach, helps the client achieve greater efficiencies that are simply not achieved with a factory assembly line process. This also provides the client with site specific solutions that are infinity more valuable than an arbitrary process that seems to serve modern production needs and machines than it does human beings! 

A Case Study Example:

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, In the case were a  building cost is $250/sf, that can be a $25,000 savings! (using a very conservative building cost value.) This is a tiny example, however it provides a clear advantage in designing a home. In addition, aligning the extensive array of various functions with the design, provides solutions that are harmonious and well thought out. The potential to serve a homeowner through a formal design process provides many a great advantages, even if it is just a simple planning document. 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. Both the hight, the width and the depth of which all come to play a vital part.   

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.  

Another aspect or benefit of using a design process led by an architect, establishes a framework to evaluate all the applicable building codes. This is specifically about mitigating risk, and establishing a clear path before the construction process starts. In short, this is not only about the design, it is about creating a project that is healthy and one that has substantial value; creating incredible experiences.

Utilizing an Architect to Help Plan:

Like soo many things in life, success comes with vision and a plan. Having a design process in place can greatly help in clarify objectives and create meaningful goals. It is also interesting how setting out on a journey to create something, can lead to discovery and improvement. There is quite unique and speaks to the extraordinary yet simple process of planning. As an architect, I can help many a clients to begin the process and help envision the project; even starting with the end in mind. In short, with no guide, chaos quickly ensues and will undermine any project. The process that leads to bringing ideas and concepts together in a meaningful way, can and will help make the dreams a reality. It’s important that the client has an advocate and advisor to balance the art with the science of building. 

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