Planning in Architecture
Planning in Architecture
Planning can be defined as activities associated with organizing, sketching, diagraming, for the purpose of achieving a goal. In architecture, a project may begin with an idea, however it takes planning to develop that idea and assess the viability.
Let’s take a brief look at planning, and using it more effectively as a tool to explore how this may serve your project. To help you develop ideas, mitigate risk and create value.
With or Without a Plan?
Planning any project requires an understanding of the issues or problems involved. This is true for any project, whether it is a small residential home or large commercial project. Planning can occur in many ways. Such as understanding the program, schedule, budget, aesthetics, site, building codes and other such data all require analysis and a way to navigate through it in a meaningful way.
Planning is a system. One that that organizes and collects important information, notes, and sketching various ideas. It is a system that leads to a deeper understanding of what you are trying to accomplish. Engaging your project data also leads to a place where the design process can begin. It may even lead to substantial solutions that would otherwise not be revealed. All of this speaks to the overall goal of your planning.
As you engage the planning process, it leads to clarity and a thoughtful development of and identification of the issues of the project. This process provides clarity for the steps you discover, and sets your objectives. It should come as no surprise, that through this planning effort, the project is placed on a firm foundation. Planning adds value to any project, mitigates risk, and helps establish a budget. Of coarse planning is only as good as the effort that is applied, however this system can provide substantial value both in terms of the incite it generates, and clarity to the project goals.
Your Planning Determines the Outcome:
Anytime you build, you need a plan! Through planning, it provides the client with clarity. This also works as a way to develop your creative approach, because it all works together. In lieu of the many requirements a building project encompasses. The process of developing ideas over time will provide opportunity for assessment and refinement along the project path.
Spending a little time up front with this planning stage can help you set important mile markers. Utilizing a design professional can also help bring some efficiencies and esthetic value to your project. It may not seem apparent at the start, but soon it becomes apparent how valuable this can be.
Its not uncommon that initial ideas are not the end all. . . We simply need a way to start and work through what you want to accomplish. But without writing it down and planning it can get lost overnight. Steven Spielberg said “all good ideas start out as bad ideas; thats why it takes so long.” The process can be a winding road, but it can produce a way to connect the dots. he should know!
In our work at Arc Caste Studio, we begin by meeting with the client and ask questions, to seek out an understand the clients objectives and vision. As we build a project program, we are able to develop ideas in a meaningful and harmonious way. The planning stage engages a thoughtful process of understanding form, function and aesthetic. And the vital way that they all can work together. This simply doesn’t happen without planning
Unfortunately, many residential projects that surround small town USA, have entirely by-passed this planning process. It makes for an interesting case study that shows the many challenges associated without planning — it all becomes the same boring stuff. It becomes a sea of medicare results. Unfortunately this lack of planning approach leads to a domino effect. Were the status quo becomes the norm. Unraveling this lack of planning becomes a complex and costly maze to repair.
The Power of Planning:
By way of a simple example, If an architect can be engaged to review your residential plan, and they are able to improve by finding ways to have greater functionality and save just 100sf, that represents 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 case for engaging a planning process. In addition, aligning all the diverse functions, budget and aesthetic preference also provides solutions that are well thought out in advance. And minimizes risk. Our building infrastructure represents an important part of our lives. Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us.” Our building infrastructure has a way to inspire us and influence how we live. It can even affect the quality of our physical lives.
Each Project Is its Own:
Having a planning process in place will help you see the need to clarify your objectives and develop meaningful goals. Planning provides a framework, and serves as a guid post of collected ideas and thoughts. The plan is a way to document ideas through sketching, thoughts, and notes. It simply serves to help solidify a picture of the project. Remember good ideas tend to build upon themselves. Thats why planning becomes soo important.
This process of planning, can be overlooked, however the process does work across all disciplines. The principles are similar. In short, with no planning process, or guide, chaos can rule. However, when clarity is developed early, it leads to bringing ideas and concepts to fruition more quickly and in a meaningful way.
The planning process provides anyone a meaningful way to identify problems and then develop specific solutions. The act of building anything, requires careful thought and planning. The importance of planning in architecture is simply priceless.
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