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Design Thinking in Architecture

Sketch Book

The Sketchbook – A Tool For Exploration + Discovery:

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Sketchbook Tool For Exploration + Discovery

Its fascinating how a hand made drawing can become so rich in information and convey important details, or ideas that an electronic drawing can never do. The sketchbook is simply a vital tool in which helps us (human beings) understand. There is something profound that occurs when a simple sketch engages the human mind to convey an idea(s). It’s a  flexible tool, that is often underutilized. In this blog, I briefly provide a case study of how this is used in our work, and how it sets the stage for creating a meaningful design.

A Case Study:

A recent project which entailed a major renovation project for an existing two story home, built in the 1950’s. Was nestled on a beautiful 1 acre sloping lot, with several areas of mature elm and box elder trees. The client wanted to add an addition for a formal dinning room, and additional storage. After our initial consult, I developed a plan of the existing home which documented the existing conditions. But at this point, the existing floor plan document information gained from the site reconnaissance was utilized to develop a sketch of the existing floor plan. At this stage, the sketch serves as a way to organize existing data in a flexible way. coupled with the existing plan, the sketch was utilized to create a schematic diagram that could be used to meaningfully create grand sweeping changes and alterations long before the formal planning began.

Sketch First, and Seek to Understand:

The Project is a good case study as it reflects the typical garden variety of homes that have a very similar entrance, and often, multiple entryways with mixed messages about which is the main entry. In addition, there is a predictable individual rigid room layout and function. In addition to the disjointed floor plan, the home had the three car garage out front and center, and gave very little thought to how this non-livable area was allowed to take over the home and become a prominent feature. 

With that said, the sketch book became an vital tool that helped to establish new ideas as an overlay of the existing home. Establishing how the existing home currently functions (or not)  as well as begin to set the stage and ideas of how things can be improved. The value of the sketch quickly becomes apparent when several iterations are required. This also serves as a gradual step in leading to a schematic drawing phase. Building your understanding through the flexibility of this sketch, subtly and deliberately creates a basis by which ideas can come to light. It builds a meaningful framework. Its not something that is just arbitrarily established.

The Sketch Engages Our Thinking:

Another important aspect of the sketch is found in the way it engages our thinking and ability to work through a rational and ordered process. We sketch to engage our thinking and understanding. We first seek to understand what the problem is. And the sketch is a tool that helps us do that. It identifies problem(s) very easily.  Sketching encourages exploration and discovery because of the ease in which sweeping changes can be made and analyzed. Perhaps most important, It can create value driven solutions and opportunities to enhance.

Another important aspect of the sketch process can be found in taking time to think through how it currently functions, and what you may actually like. It serves as an analytical tool to identify and prioritize a future design. As each project is unique, so to, the ability to have your sketch tool become a way to identify what’s important.

A Sketch Convey’s a Thousand Words:

The goal of many projects is primarily about improvement of some kind. The sketch book helps in this process from the start. In fact, there is a fascinating mental process that takes place when the mind takes paper and pencil and begins to envision and create. This is completely unlike anything our digital media tools provide. Its unique to the sketchbook itself.  

The sketch book provides a simple but thoughtful process that not only captures what you observe, it engages our mind to begin the process of creating meaningful change. Even more, the cost of this effort up front is such a minimal investment compared to the lost opportunity of not utilizing this tool —  should encourage everyone to start small, with a simple sketch, and use it as a tool for exploration and discovery.

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Design Thinking In Architecture?

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Design Thinking In Architecture:

A vital aspect of the architect’s service is the ability to design in a way that serves others above self. This kind of design work leads to more than just a pretty picture. As one might imagine, solving infrastructure problem(s) requires a well thought out process (long before the project begins) that helps to organize, create and move a project forward in a meaningful way. The process I am referring to is called Design Thinking. In this blog, I take a brief look at how design thinking can be used in architecture.

History is an excellent teacher. In the Renaissance period for example, architects, artist’s and sculptor’s alike, created their designs with a human centric focus. They studied the works of those who preceded them. Even the ‘masters’ like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, experienced an apprenticeship program to develop the disciplined to practice design. They learned how ‘things’ worked, and built upon their understanding. It was hard work, but that’s the point. They developed their approach individually. Unfortunately, it seems this approach toward design in the modern era has become something of a mechanized process. More akin to developing a factory-like process. One might argue that the engineering associated with creating the machines to do its work is more akin to design thinking. But, I digress. Design thinking must be directed by human beings; with their developed and trained ability to think and reason. It is something that engages the heart and mind in a profound way. Design thinking requires a rational and intuitive process of seeking to understand and aiming to reach for solutions that better the quality of life and do it creatively. Gathering information and learning how to meaningfully make improvements based on experimentation. 

Why Design Thinking?:

It’s important to see that design thinking can be utilized in a great many ways. In and outside the strict boundaries of architecture. Regardless, design thinking is effective as a tool to creatively solve problems. In addition, it serves as a foundation, by which reason and order can flourish. In addition, the process itself can add substantial value to the end result of any project. Through this work of the creative and rational mindset (the art + the science) that solution(s) develop. 

Design Thinking is not just about improving the aesthetics or even the function. There are in fact, many facets that work with the art and the science of a project. It can build upon and align a project with personal values and clarify objectives. It can serve an innumerable ways. And thats the point of design thinking — it doesn’t lock you in to one solution. This design approach develops an understanding of function, and aligns it with, creativity, and a rational mindset. Although each project is different, we can learn a lot about how to improve any project by using this methodology. This approach serves as a way to connect the dots to various ideas and it adds possible solutions through critical thinking, that otherwise would not be possible. It can be said that this process is an iterative one, rather than a sequential or linear one.  

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 requires an understanding of how human beings live and what they need emotionally, physically and mentally. The process carries a responsibility to ask many questions of ourselves and the client. In addition, the lessons of the past, can and should be applied to refine solution(s) of the present.  

A Human Centric Approach:

When I speak of using design thinking in architecture, it is NOT a formula, or a mathematical equation that can be applied to solve for an unknown. It’s not divisive, or combative, and has more to do with developing a harmony among human beings.  Our process at Arc Castle Studio, utilizes an approach of generating, synthesizing and evaluating through a collaboration process with the client and consultants. We use critical thinking and simple tools like sketches, drawings, diagrams and model making to maximize the effectiveness of this design process. We explore, learn, discover, and connect the dots of our journey to paint a picture. But most important it is a work by human beings, for human beings.

Design thinking can minimize risk in the way it considers many options or solutions. As human beings we need to think through the goals and objectives before we can advance and build. When we rush to build, there can be long term consequences that cannot be easily reclaimed. When there is no building program, the process is usually being driven by a one size fits all approach. However, Design thinking represents a labor of love, where the effort seeks to create a work that balances the art with the science. Also, the financial benefits and value is enhanced. The investment in our infrastructure has long term ramifications and benefits; not only in the current culture, but upon future generations. 

Summary:

When Design Thinking is thoughtfully applied, it serves to solve problems creatively, and produce lasting value. through an authentic approach. This represents a process of thinking holistically. It’s not skin deep beauty, but rather has an authentic meaning, purpose and applications in the way it interacts with human beings. A good work can often judged on how well it functions, and how in alignment it is with the program, aesthetics, and budget. There is an inherent harmony present. If you want to maximize your project, plan, and design with a design thinking mindset. Never settle for mediocrity.

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