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Design Thinking in Architecture

Sketch Book

The Sketchbook: A Tool For Exploration and Discovery:

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The Sketch Book:

The sketchbook provides a tool and remains relevant even in an age of Ai (Artificial Intelligence). This is a  tool, that makes strong connections between design and the end user.  With this in mind, let’s examine the sketch book as a vital part of the design process.

An Extraordinary Tool in an Age of Fast Computers:

Regardless of the project type or subject to be explored, the sketchbook represents an interesting engagement process that simply does not take place with a computer. It also makes it an effective tool to analyze and seek understanding.       

I use the sketch book as a tool through hand sketching and recording conceptual ideas, or making notes of unique features. Sketching is not necessarily just design, but the process of seeking understanding before the design takes place. It’s a way to become ‘aware’ and seek understanding. This provides an opportunity to document your progress. But what gets overlooked is the way sketching engages and develops the creative mind.  

The Sketch Book In History:

There is an extraordinary and unique aspect of developing the hand sketch. It develops a personal human centric connection that a computer cannot do.  In fact history reveals an extensive cadre of sketchbooks. and provide excellent examples of the value that can be created.  

Long before the so called ‘information age’, artist’s worldwide would used a sketch book to record their initial thoughts. History records this fact and it reveals an astonishing effort and the power the sketchbook has played in the creative realm.  

The sketch book is however only as good as you use it. The value is derived as it is applied. The sketch book is a tool that has been used as long as mankind has lived on this earth. Over time as the sketchbook has become an irreplaceable tool. Even in our modern area, there is nothing that has replaced the concept and need for the sketchbook. 

Ideas and Application:

The sketchbook also engages our thinking and ability to work through a rational process. Sketching encourages exploration and provides a fluid process. The ease in which sweeping changes are made and analyzed are inviting a process of adding idea onto idea. Perhaps most intriguing, the sketch book creates opportunity to share and collaborate with others.

The Sketch book as a Tool For Exploration and Discovery 

Using your sketchbook, should always be about seeking to understand. This provides a way to explore and discover many ways to improve upon and finding ways to problem solve. The sketch book serves a vital role in starting this extraordinary process of discovery.   

Its astonishing how this simple tool of hand sketching can be sidelined for various reasons. Perhaps the lure of other tools becomes too great. It should also be said, various digital tools are not necessarily bad, or cant be used, rather it becomes an issue of how do we best engage our minds in a physical way, so as properly guide our technology.       

The sketch book provides a simple but thoughtful process to begin any project. It is a powerful tool that captures what you observe, and it engages the mind to create meaningful solutions. Hopefully we can all appreciate the value of this tool and next time you seek to start a project, know you can begin it with a sketch.

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Design Thinking

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Design Thinking In Architecture:

Creating new or modifying infrastructure, represents an investment of time, material and cost. I want to address a design process in this blog as a way to mitigate risk and enhance the overall opportunity for the greatest project success in lieu of the investment . 

In addition, I want to discuss how design thinking is utilized as a design tool for most any project, to create value and solve problems. This process specifically combines both the art with the science of putting a project together. And it creates to build upon. I want to start with some early history on how design thinking was used. 

The Renaissance and Design Thinking

During the Renaissance period, architects, artist’s and sculptor’s alike, typically approached their work with simple tools like hand drawings, sketches, diagrams and even prototype models. But these simple tools produced profound results. Their approach also served as a basis for building their understanding, and being able to convey it to the client. Often, extensive research and practical knowledge was sought long before any design work occurred.  Accordingly, this approach provided a way to establish important parameters by which the project could be designed upon.  

Design thinking blossoms during the Renaissance and It influences all disciplines, both art and science. In architecture there is an emphasis on human-centric approaches to design. The work took on scientific approaches to built upon known information and sought solutions that put human beings front and center. In fact, the human body was seen a perfect model of proportion, form and exemplified an ideal relationship between its form and associated functions. This period, gave rise to a quality of design and work that changed the known world. Their new found approach created a culture of advancement, leaving the dark ages with a renewed vision.. 

Why Design Thinking:

It is interesting to consider how design was utilized in history and how it advanced during the Renaissance. It can be said that a design mindset was seen as common denominator for most work of this period, Further, utilizing this tool can be seen as a way to add value, and solve problems. Perhaps most importantly, it integrates a rational thinking and order to the design process. However, this doesn’t come cheep. One must apply its principles to achieve the benefits. 

In fact, much of our built environment today does not incorporate the rigor of design thinking that can be found in the history of the Renaissance period. Perhaps this is why soo many of our cities, towns and homes today do not function well and are unhealthy and uninspiring places to live or work. However, we do see an emphasizes on quick gain with little thought for the effects upon us as humans.   

Design thinking can be likened a muscle that grows stronger when it is used over time. However, like any tool, it has to be used wisely to shape, and form in a meaningful way. This process is never arbitrary. Rather this is about producing a work that is authentic and true to its nature and provides healthy solutions. For any project, all the parts need to interact and work together. Although each project is different, we utilize lessons learned from each project to serve the next. In addition, a design thinking mindset produces a synergy that can be applied in many ways. This approach simply serves to connect as many dots as possible, and enhances a journey to discovery. 

How Design Thinking Can Be Utilized:

  • Architect directed projects can apply design thinking to serve as a collaboration platform and advance solutions
  • Align form with functional and build upon program requirements that work with the aesthetics
  • Establish a 'solutions' focused process (divergent and convergent thinking)
  • Principle-centered approach in applying due diligence for any project
  • Seeks a human-centric solution, not assembly line, or status quo objectives
  • Evaluate form, function, program, site and aesthetics in a holistic way. (critical thinking)
  • Architect led process serves as guide and advisor to balancing project goals and objectives
  • A Process that evaluates the big picture and seeks to minimize risk.
  • Recognize this is a design mindset that advances both the art and the science. (Often contrary to each other)

A Design Mindset Approach:

Design thinking is not a formula, or a mathematical equation that can be applied to solve for an unknown. This represents a unique mindset that incorporates art and science. And it is driven by the needs of human beings. 

Our process at Arc Castle Studio utilizes a design thinking approach. We also incorporate critical thinking into our tool kit. Utilizing simple tools that were utilized soo long ago like hand sketching, and creating study models. We explore all facets, to learn, discover, and seek many ways by which to improve our built environment.

Summary:

Design thinking has broad applications, and can serve to solve problems and produce lasting value. Although this  is not an easy process, it is a valuable way to approach any project. When done right, it’s never arbitrary. A good work can be discerned by observing how well its form is suited to its function, and how the aesthetics work in harmony. This represents a design thinking process. 

If you want to maximize your efforts to improve your project — utilize a design thinking mindset. Seeking to understand,  learn how to change, and apply lessons learned through analysis. Never settle for the mediocrity of the status quo.

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