Planning in Architecture
The Nature of Planning:
The nature of planning, cannot be emphasized enough both in terms of the importance to transform the mundane but also creating order through organizing, sketching, and diagraming. Although not limited to these activities, they form the back bone and purpose to envision and achieving project success both in and outside the boundaries of architecture,
I want to emphasize in this blog, the nature of planning is a vital tool and that it should be utilized to develop a project from the earliest stage.. Although planning can be a ubiquitous term. I will explore the nature of planning from the perspective of how it serves a vital link to the necessary process of exploring and discovering solutions. .
What Is The Nature of Planning?
Planning a project requires an understanding. The more understanding the better, As an architect, I have discovered that my training lends itself to utilizing tools like planning as a process of problem resolution and envisioning solutions. As an architect I know the development of a preliminary plan does not proceed out of thin air, it takes a level of thinking and effort to establish the parameters, eg, developing a program, understanding site, and exploring the budget to name a few. However, the challenge of ‘planning’ is to consider the big picture. .Evaluating completing circumstances and data. This is where the nature of planning shines.
Planning provides a way to seek understanding and to organize; serving as a way to build upon. This becomes a way to document important information, writing, and sketching of preliminary ideas. The planning leads to a deeper understanding of objectives, However, this engagement of ideas also leads up to the place where design can begin. Often, substantial solutions can be realized, that would not otherwise have been revealed. All of this speaks to the overall importance of planning early.
The planning process serves to identify the parameters by which a project can succeed. This process of seeking to understand, establishes clarity of what success looks like. Through planning, the project is built on a strong foundation of analysis and critical thinking. The nature of planning considers a broad spectrum of data and trys to mitigate risk as well as find inspiring solutions.
Planning Determines Outcome:
The nature of planning also seeks to develop order, and help establish the project approach, it essentially is building a story, It can also be said, most any project will often be more complicated than meets the eye. Planning harmonizes the project and seeks to implement the data in a meaningful way. The process of developing ideas over time also will create opportunity for refinement from initial ideas that may not be very good .
Spending time with the planning process helps to create order and establish a meaningful direction. Planning also helps to set important mile markers long before a project is born and goes into construction. In addition, through planning, greater efficiencies and esthetic value can be brought into focus.
With the start of any project, it’s important to have. process that helps to work through ideas, sometimes bad ideas. However, without planning, important ideas that need to ‘bake’, may get lost. An interesting observation by Steven Spielberg encapsulates this idea well, he said: “all good ideas start out as bad ideas; thats why it takes so long.” Indeed, the planning process may be a winding road, but it will produce a better work than not planning at all.
The planning stage also engages a thoughtful process of understanding form, function and aesthetic. And the vital way that they all can work together. Unfortunately, many residential communities for example, have entirely by-passed this planning process.. Unfortunately this lack of planning approach leads to a domino effect and effects society as a whole..
The Individual Nature of Planning:
Having a planning process in place will help clarify objectives and develop meaningful goals. Planning provides a framework, and serves as a guid post and serves to collect ideas in a meaningful way. The plan documents ideas. It simply serves to help solidify the project. Good ideas tend to build upon themselves. Thats why planning becomes soo important.
This process of planning works across all disciplines. The principles are similar. In short, with no planning process, or guide, chaos can rule the day. However, the nature of planning brings ideas and concepts to fruition in a meaningful way.
Summary
The planning process is not an arbitrary name with fancy lines on a page. Planning provides a meaningful way to identify problems in order to develop solutions. The art of building, doesn’t just happen by accident, or even because of good craftsmen, or using good materials. It requires critical thought that comes through planning.
The importance of planning in architecture or any endeavor serves to create order.
Planning in Architecture Read More »