The Design Process & Thinking

Burns School of Real

Estate & Construction

Management

CMGT 2300 - CMGT 4320

Architectural Planning & Design Management

How an Architect thinks.

How Architecture Can Impact Society?

Design as a communication tool

• Draw how you make toast

Good or Bad Design?

Architecture… a lofty vocation

• Roots in the Master Builder and the Renaissance

– The notion of “Doing it All”

– Brunelleschi (1377-1446)

• The GREAT Dome of the Florence Cathedral

• The father of Renaissance architecture

• The enduring Romance of architecture is based on

the Renaissance ideals of commitment to making

the world more livable by developing the arenas

in which human dramas play out—literally that the

human condition can be improved by good design.

• Architectural Determinism (philosophy):

– “We architects are destined to improve human behavior and well being

through good design.”

How Architects Think

How Architects Think

• Highly educated

• Trained in problem solving

• Guided by history, codes and standards

• Aesthetics are important

• Spatial relationships

• Physiological and social considerations

• Considers Art & Technology

• Altruistic motivators

• Noble profession

Good or Bad Design?

How Engineers Think

• Highly educated

• Trained in pragmatic problem

solving

• Performance is important

• Guided by Codes and Standards

• Many Disciplines

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Structural

• Civil

• Specialty

Good or Bad Design?

Understanding the Role of

the Designer

• Make something from nothing

• Integrator of programmatic information

• Articulate architectural vision

• Conceptualization

• Strategic thinker Design

Activity

Design

Outcome

Internal

Influences

Intra-discipline

Influences

External

Influences

Understanding the Role of

the Architect

• Validating architecture against the

requirements and assumptions

• Technical and artistic solutions

• Models, drawings, specifications

• Political Thinker

• Confident of Owners

The process of design is iterative in nature

13

Design $Cost$

Must maintain balance between design and cost

throughout the design-build process

Understanding the Role of the

Architect

Cost

Good or Bad Design?

Good or Bad Design?

16

Two Distinct Functions

Construction Process - Sequential

Design Process - Integrative

Clock Like

Cloud Like

Schedule

Based

Solution

Based

17

Systems Thinking Approach

Cost Time Quality Design FunctionScope Performance

Understanding That These Dials are Connected

Good or Bad Design?

How Should You Think About

Architecture?

• Understanding of Architecture’s place in history

• Impact on the built environment

• Societal Impacts

• Culture

• Economic drivers

• Motivators

• Use, repurpose, retirement

• First cost vs. total cost of ownership

• Vision

How does design affect

behavior?

Architecture

Math /

Design Principles

Science / Materials

Art /

Aesthetics

History / Urban

Context

Sociology / Culture

Psychology / User Needs

Geography / Environment

Finance / Management

Engineering / Technology

Engineering / Construction

Multiple Fields & Influences

Essential Elements of

Architecture

Great Architecture

Psychological

Well Being

Optimum Function

Balanced Aesthetics

Sound Construction

Factors Affecting Architecture

Urban Context

Culture / User Needs

Environment

Owner Requirements: Goal, Scope, Budget, Time

Contract Agreement

The quantity or value of any

given element depends on the

weight given to each factor

Vitruvius’

Triad of Successful Buildings

Delight Aesthetics, Art, Beauty

Firmness Structure, Strength, Durability

Utility Function, Accommodation, Meeting Needs

Future of Architecture

The Next Architect takes a fresh book at our fast-evolving

profession, starting with the proposition that everyone is an

architect, both enables and empowered to help shape tomorrow’s

world.

Architects may assure each other of their own importance, but society has

come to view architecture as a luxury it can do without. This recognition

becomes an occasion to rethink architecture and its value from the very

core.

Integrated Design Approach

Integrated Design Approach

Good or Bad Design?

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF

BUILDING SCIENCES

WBDG Whole Building Design Guide

The Role of Buildings

• The Case for Whole Building Design – Buildings are deceptively complex. At their best, they connect us with

the past and represent the greatest legacy for the future. They provide

shelter, encourage productivity, embody our culture, and certainly play

an important part in life on the planet.

– The role of buildings is constantly changing.

– Buildings today are life support systems, communication and data

terminals, centers of education, justice, and community, and so much

more.

– They are incredibly expensive to build and maintain and must

constantly be adjusted to function effectively over their life cycle.

– The economics of building has become as complex as its design.

Project Success – Design

Perspective

• Design Objectives • Each design objective described herein is significantly important, yet it is

just one aspect of what it takes to achieve a successful project.

• A truly successful project is one where project goals are identified early

on and where the interdependencies of all building systems are

coordinated concurrently from the planning and programming phase.

• WBDG design objectives:

1. Accessible

2. Aesthetics

3. Cost Effective

4. Functional/Operational

5. Historic Preservation

6. Productive

7. Secure/Safe

8. Sustainable

1. Accessible

• Pertains to building elements, heights and

clearances implemented to address the specific

needs of disabled people.

• Related topics: – Equal Access and Flexibility

– History of Accessible Facility Design

– Beyond Accessibility to Universal Design

2. Aesthetics

• Pertains to the physical appearance and image of

building elements and spaces as well as the

integrated design process.

• Related topics: – Understanding the Language and Elements of Design

– Engage the Integrated Design Process

– Design Awards

3. Cost-Effective

• Pertains to selecting building elements on the

basis of life-cycle costs (weighing options during

concepts, design development, and value

engineering) as well as basic cost estimating and

budget control.

• Related topics: • Utilize Cost Management Throughout the

Planning, Design, and Development Process

• Use Economic Analysis to Evaluate Design

Alternatives

• Consider Non-Monetary Benefits such as

Aesthetics, Historic Preservation, Security, and

Safety

4. Functional / Operational

• Pertains to functional programming—spatial needs

and requirements, system performance as well as

durability and efficient maintenance of building

elements.

• Related topics: • Account for Functional Needs

• Ensure Appropriate

Product/Systems Integration

• Meet Performance Objectives

5. Historic Preservation

• Pertains to specific actions within a historic district or

affecting a historic building whereby building

elements and strategies are classifiable into one of

the four approaches: – preservation,

– rehabilitation,

– restoration, or

– reconstruction.

• Related topics: – Apply the Preservation Process Successfully

– Update Building Systems Appropriately

– Accommodate Life Safety and Security Needs

– Provide Accessibility for Historic Buildings

6. Productive

• Pertains to occupants' well-being—physical and

psychological comfort—including building elements

such as air distribution, lighting, workspaces,

systems, and technology.

• Related topics: – Integrate Technological Tools

– Assure Reliable Systems and Spaces

– Design for the Changing Workplace

– Promote Health and Well-Being

– Provide Comfortable Environments

8. Secure / Safe

• Pertains to the physical protection of occupants and

assets from man-made and natural hazards.

• Related topics: – Fire Protection

– Occupant Safety and Health

– Natural Hazards and Security

– Security for Building Occupants and Assets

*. Sustainable

• Pertains to environmental performance of building

elements and strategies.

• Related topics: – Optimize Site Potential

– Optimize Energy Use

– Protect and Conserve Water

– Use Greener Materials

– Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

– Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices

Building Types

• Ammunition & Explosive Magazines

• Archives & Record Storage Building

• Armories

• Aviation

• Community Services

• Educational Facilities

• Federal Courthouse

• Health Care Facilities

• Land Port of Entry

• Libraries

• Office Building

• Parking Facilities

• Research Facilities

• Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (Barracks)

• Warehouse

Functional Space Types

• Atrium

• Auditorium

• Automated Data Processing: Mainframe

• Automated Data Processing: PC System

• Child Care

• Clinic / Health Unit

• Conference / Classroom

• Courthouse: Courtroom

• Courthouse: Enhanced Office

• Courthouse: Judicial Chamber

• Firing Range

• Food Service

• General Storage

• Hearing Room

• Joint Use Retail

• Light Industrial

• Laboratory: Dry

• Laboratory: Wet

• Library

• Loading Dock

• Lobby

• Mail Center

• Office

• Parking: Basement

• Parking: Outside / Structured

• Parking: Surface

• Physical Fitness (Exercise Room)

• Place of Worship

• Plaza

• Private Toilet

• Warehouse

Design Disciplines

• Every building project has a unique set of program goals and technical

requirements that demand assembling all the stakeholders and a team of

professionals in various design disciplines.

• Each design discipline has a different set of skills, professional standards,

and issues that drive how they operate in the building process.

• Traditionally, many disciplines provide a specialized technical service that

is not always well coordinated with other aspects of the project.

• 'Whole building,' or integrated, design as a process requires the various

stakeholders and disciplines to coordinate and interact as early as

possible in the process, and throughout the life cycle of the project to

achieve a holistic solution that may yield multiple benefits.

Design Disciplines

• Information Technologies Engineering

• Interior Design

• Landscape Architecture

• Lighting Design

• Planning

• Plumbing Engineering

• Structural Engineering

• Architecture

• Architectural Programming

• Commissioning Authority

• Cost Estimating

• Electrical Engineering

• Fire Protection Engineering

• HVAC and Refrigerating Engineering

Thinking Like an Architect

First Stage of Design

Programming

• State the problem;

• Establish goals;

• Collect and analyze facts;

• Establish functional relationships;

• Uncover and test concepts;

• And finally state the problem to direct a course of

action.

Not a Linear Process

Steps to Design Thinking

Systems Approach

Set Based Design A collaborative team approach to design

Several

Ideas

Design/Ris

k Sets

Hybrid

Design

Design

Selected

DOES INTEGRATED DESIGN &

PROJECT DELIVERY MATTER?

Cost-Influence Through

the Process

Influence vs Cost Curve E

ff o

rt Typical ‘Value’ Engineering !

Strategy Design Construction Operation

25% 75%

L if

e cy

cl e

co st

Virtual Building Design Proposed Entry

Silo Work Environment

Designer Contractor Subcontractor

Designs

intent

Determines

means &

methods

Details &

executes means

and methods

Owner

Figure 2.1

Collaborative Work

Environment

Figure 2.2

New Ways to Measure

Success

Example – The Workplace • The OMG Factor

• The Cost of Dis-Engagement - $550 billion/year

Design Improves Engagement

Why great architecture

should tell a story

Good or Bad Design?