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Sketch Book

The Sketchbook: A Tool For Exploration and Discovery:

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The Sketchbook, a tool for exploration and discovery:

To begin with a hand drawing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you start a project or seek to resolve a problem. In fact, in a digital age of complex tools, hand drawings have been pushed to the side. However, in this blog I would like to show that the sketchbook is actually a powerful tool for exploration and discovery. In fact, there is a profound cognitive process that takes place when a sketch is developed. The human mind does process this act of sketching as a deliberate attempt to engage it, and often responds with ideas. In addition, the sketch is a flexible tool, that can be easily incorporated into any project. Let’s briefly examine this simple tool, and understand how it can be better utilized.

Simple is often the best approach:

I remember my engineering professor,  who always began his lectures with the “KISS” principle. He said “Keep it simple stupid” Although I found myself at odds with this approach, I did learn very quickly that creating complex solutions also increased the potential for error. The sketchbook is very much like the KISS principle, it helps to train your focus on the basics.

The idea of using a sketchbook as a tool for exploration and discovery is foreign to some. However, in this blog, I want to shed light on the fascinating way that this simple tool is utilized in my practice. In addition, to convey that it can be utilized outside the strict boundaries of architecture. In fact, any discipline or endeavor can benefit formalizing this tool.    

Let me start with an example of an existing residential project that I was commissioned to redesign. The project entailed a complete renovation of a two story home, built in the 1950’s. The house was nestled on a beautiful one acre lot. The client wanted to improve its functionality and meet new energy codes. In addition, the home would benefit from an aesthetic refresh. 

As you might have guessed, a quick sketch began in earnest to record the existing floor plan, elevations, and a small sketch of the site plan. The documented information gained from the site reconnaissance was beneficial not in just documenting what is there, but when you sketch a drawing, you engage your mind through your eyes and hand. The sketch in this case was not about designing anything, but wanting to become ‘aware’ of what was there. In addition, the drawing served to create order and begin to organize existing data in a way that provided valuable information to build upon and proceed to next stage. 

Sketch and Seek to Understand:

The above noted project could have also been a commercial building, place of entertainment, commercial venue, anything. The process is the same; engage your mind through your hand sketches. Science has revealed that there is this extraordinary connection between mind and hand. There are some institutions that even have it as their moto, see MIT article on their approach to learning. 

The sketch book is however only as good as how you use it. However, the value of the sketch can quickly become apparent when it is applied in real life scenarios such as the noted project above. The sketch serves as a gradual step in helping the human mind to analyze (creative pursuits) and eventually to design itself. 

In addition, building understanding through utilizing this flexible hand sketch tool creates a basis by which ideas can come to light. It builds a meaningful framework. As the mind is investing in whats before you, it invisibly processes and provides a deeper understanding – this is never an arbitrary process.

Ideas and Application:

As the sketchbook can be found to engage our thinking and ability to work through a rational and ordered process. i.,e develop ideas. It also does something else. The hand can apply our thinking to develop specific applications and solutions. It becomes a tool to develop meaningful applications that utilize our observations and ideas that are processed so quickly by the human brain that we may even take it for granted. Sketching encourages exploration and discovery because of the ease in which sweeping changes can be made and analyzed. Perhaps most intriguing, it can create substantial value driven by the sketch process utilizing the mind and hand.

An Powerful Tool of Exploration and Discovery 

Remember, the goal of many projects in architecture and other disciples too, is primarily about understanding and finding ways to make improvement or solve problems. The sketch book begins this extraordinary process of discovery and understanding in ways that even modern high tech computing simply cannot do. In fact, I think the 

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 In Architecture

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Design Thinking In Architecture:

Building your home or any infrastructure is a costly endeavor. It begs the question: what can be done to ensure a well thought out  project? How do you maximize on your investment, while minimizing cost?  In this blog, I will address these question and present a brief summary on how design thinking can be utilized to maximize on your investment. Design thinking is vital tool that helps you evaluate many aspects of a project. In fact, the process itself, engages a wide variety of data holistically and combines the art with the science; creating a foundation for a well thought out process. Let’s start  with a bit of history.

In the Renaissance period for example, architects, artist’s and sculptor’s alike, created their designs with sketches, hand drawings, diagrams and even a preliminary study models. They learned that the process of creating something of value required an understanding of form and function, but also how to produce an aesthetically pleasing work. It was a discovery that facilitated and built upon layers of knowledge and testing. 

Design thinking blossoms in the Renaissance period and influenced all disciplines. In architecture it starts with a human-centric approach. A way of thinking that focused on the human being as a prototype to design. The human body was seen a perfect model of proportion, form and function. It should come as no surprise that the solutions developed during the Renaissance period, gave rise to a quality of human life, and changed the known world. It also provided immense improvements in science and art — even serving as an education program for various trades or disciplines. Functioning as a mentorship program during this period in history to pass along what was learned.

Why Design Thinking:

Design thinking throughout history was utilized in and outside the strict boundaries of architecture.  It is also interesting to note how design developed in the Renaissance period and extended itself in broad ways. In addition, it can be said that a design mindset itself serves as a creative tool that encompasses the science and art to solve problems and develop meaningful strategies. Utilizing this tool should reflect a  process that creates immense opportunity to add value and set a design direction. Perhaps most importantly, it integrates the art with the science of building. However, you have to apply it in order to achieve the benefits. Unfortunately, so much of our build environment today, seems to under value this tool. Perhaps this is why soo many of our cities and towns are poorly designed and unhealthy places to live or work?  

Design thinking is like a muscle that grows stronger when used.  It broadens your capabilities to use design as a way of creating a rational order and process. Any tool that helps to shape and develop creativity in a meaningful way should be considered valuable. This is not about creating a pretty picture, but producing a work that is authentic and functions well. Where all the parts work together in harmony. Although each project is different, we can learn a lot about how to make improvements to our built environment by using this design mindset and applying it. This approach simply serves to connect as many dots you can and enhance the discovery process. To seek new and innovative approaches to improving the quality of life.   

How Design Thinking Can Be Used in Architecture:

  • Programatic diagrams that facilitate the development of the building program
  • Align functional requirements with aesthetics
  • Solutions focused development process (divergent and convergent thinking)
  • Utilizing the power of sketch and planning to clarify and advance objectives
  • Seeks to develop a human centric solution
  • Evaluating function, program, site and aesthetics as a single entity

Developing an architecture project requires careful assessment of program, form, and function. It also requires an  understanding of how human beings will live or work in that building. This is often a challenge that presents itself in this modern age. To combat this mediocre tendency we should ask what is needed physically, even mentally or psychologically. A responsible design for human beings should engage many questions of ourselves and the client. In addition, the lessons of the past, can and should be applied to refine our present day solution(s).   

A Design Mindset Approach:

Design thinking in architecture, should not be thought of as a formula, or a mathematical equation that can be applied to solve for an unknown. It’s also not a factory or assembly line process.  It has more to do with developing a harmony among the project parts and interfacing with human beings. Our process at Arc Castle Studio, utilizes an approach of generating, synthesizing and evaluating through a collaborative process with the client and consultants. We use critical thinking and simple tools like sketches, drawings, diagrams and even hand crafted study models. We explore, learn, discover, and connect the dots of our journey to paint a picture that creates the clients individual story, to meet their criteria. But most important it is a work by human beings, for human beings.

Design thinking can also serve to minimize risk, through its design process. It considers many options toward achieving a given solution(s). As human beings we need to think through the project goals and objectives before we can advance and build. (especially when we build!) When we rush to build, there can be long term consequences that cannot be easily reclaimed. When there is no building program, or design-thinking, the process is usually being driven by a one size fits all approach. However, Design thinking represents an effort and work that seeks to create a meaningful balance of the art with the science. Also, the financial benefits and value is not arbitrary, but enhances the esthetics and function. The investment in our infrastructure has long term ramifications and benefits; not only in the current culture, but also upon future generations. 

Summary:

Design thinking has broad implications. When it is applied, it serves to solve problems and produce lasting value. This represents a process of thinking holistically, to align all the parts of the project holistically. It’s not skin deep beauty, but has an authentic deep meaning, purpose and application as it interacts with human beings. A good work can be discerned by observing how well its form is suited to its function, and aesthetics. If you want to maximize your efforts to improve anything, utilize a design thinking mindset; seeking to learn, change, and apply lessons learned through analysis. Never settle for the mediocrity of the status quo.

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