and Applied Technology Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum Design and Innovation Video: Design Process in [Teacher notes]

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Preamble

Teaching plan i

Lesson 1: Design Process in Architecture Video: Design Process in Architecture 1.1 What is Architectural Design? 02

1.2 Considerations during the Design Process in Architecture 03

1.2.1 Analysis of the Site 04 1.2.2 Assigning Programme 05 1.2.3 06 1.2.4 Detailing 07

1.3 Architectural Design Presentation 08

1.3.1 Graphical Representation 08 1.3.2 Physical Modelling 10 1.3.3 Multi-media Presentation 12

Summary, Key words and Further reading 14

Disclaimer Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. © 2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects Topic 01 Video: Design Process in Architecture Design and Applied Technology | Major teaching areas Interdisciplinary teaching areas Design and Applied Technology Visual Arts: Strand 1 Design and Innovation • Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in context • Design in Practice • Visual Arts Making • Design Consideration • Design and Communication Video: Design Process in Architecture Related teaching areas Design and Applied Technology Strand 2 Technological Principles • Nature of Technology Strand 3 Value and Impact • Values in Technology and Design • Historical and Cultural Influence • Entrepreneurship and Enterprise

Learning objectives • To understand what architectural design is about • To be able to carry out an architectural design process • To see how to prepare an effective and comprehensive presentation of an architectural design Teaching plan Lesson Contents Lesson 1 • 1.1 Understanding architectural design Design Process in • 1.2 Stages of the design process in architecture Architecture • 1.3 Preparing an effective and comprehensive presentation These are supplementary teaching notes for the video ‘Design Process in Architecture’. i Design and Applied Technology |

Lesson 1 Video: Design Process in Architecture Design Process in Architecture

01 Topic 01 Video: Design Process in Architecture

1.1 What is Architectural Design? Architectural design is a balance between pragmatic requirements and aesthetics. Like all disciplines of design, architectural design must address user needs and should be aesthetically pleasing. • User activities determine what spaces a building should contain. Design and Applied Technology | • The arrangement of spaces facilitates human activities and can also create beauty and enjoyment.

Architectural design creates three-dimensional form. A building is designed through the horizontal and vertical arrangement of spaces with different proportions and relationships. This requires careful consideration of how spaces should be linked in a user-friendly manner.

Architectural design must be structurally feasible. A building must be structurally stable and self-supporting in order to be usable. Like other elements of the Video: Design Process in Architecture building, the structure must be designed carefully. • Co-operation of architectural and engineers is important. • Model testing can be a way to examine the structural feasibility of the design. • Structural and detail drawings are required for construction.

Architectural design must be contextually relevant. Architecture should react to its context both physically and culturally. A good building can create an identity for a place by relating to its site, whether urban or rural. Moreover, sustainable architectural design should consider its impacts on the larger environment.

02 1.2 Considerations during the Design Process in Architecture Four major stages we would go through during a design process in A architecture: ite naly S si • Analysis of the site s • Assigning the programmes l Desi Spatial design tia gn • pa • Design for details S

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q Conceptual sketches © Helen Fan (Above) Chris Wong (Below)

Importance of the review process Between each of design, evaluations should be carried out. An architect might carry out this process of review with colleagues, clients, and local officials; design students might work with tutors or classmates.

Record of ideas It is important to keep a record of the evolution of ideas during the design process. These records could be in the following formats:

• Sketches • • Models • Collage

Even ideas that seem irrelevant and primitive may prove useful in a later stage of design or in another architectural project.

Trial and error during the design process A good design arises from many experiments, both successes and failures. Do not be afraid of making mistakes but simply keep visualizing your ideas to provide different alternatives for design solutions. 03 1.2.1 Analysis of the Site In an architectural design, both the physical and cultural contexts need to be addressed. • How can the building relate to the surrounding neighbourhood? What kinds of public or shared spaces can the building provide for • Design and Applied Technology | the surrounding neighbourhood? What does the existing context have, and what does it need? • What is the cultural context of the site? What is its historical, current and future urban development? • Should new buildings adopt a harmonious architectural language to fit in with the existing urban fabric, or would a contrasting style provide a stronger identity? • How should the building interact with the physical or environmental context? Should it sink into the earth, sit on the ground, or should it be lifted above the ground? p On-site sketches © Helen Fan

q Site analysis diagrams © Helen Fan Video: Design Process in Architecture Methodology: • Mapping of urban fabric • Research in museums and archives • Photography • Sketches • On-site survey • physical modelling • Computer modelling

Evaluation Points 1. What are the impacts of the building on the urban landscape?

2. What is the urban development of the site? Should new additions be constructed in phases or all at once? 04 2 Design and Applied Technology |

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1.2.2 Assigning Programme Once the context has been analysed, a can begin to think about how to fit the required programmes onto the site. The initial design concept Video: Design Process in Architecture might be context-based, user-based or aesthetically based, depending on the client’s desires as outlined in the design brief.

Programmes should be assigned in a logical, functional, user-friendly manner. Research on precedents can help a designer to understand the typical arrangement of programmes in a particular building type.

• What is the desired spatial hierarchy? • How should the building be oriented on the site? 4 • Where should public or private spaces be placed? • Are there any outdoor spaces? 1: Assigning programmes on a site plan • How should the programme be arranged: vertically or horizontally, 2: Massing models of existing context symmetrically or randomly? and proposed circulation • What is the solid and void relationship of the overall building form? Is it 3: Massing sketch open or it is enclosed? 4: Massing model © Helen Fan Methodology: • A schedule of accommodation is a list of all functions required and the areas needed. • Spatial relationship diagrams can help to design a programmatic arrangement corresponding to the site. • Sketches • Collage • Physical modelling Evaluation Points Computer modelling • 1. How would you describe the overall form of the architecture?

2. What are the spatial relationships between the architecture and the site?

3. How is the building accessed? 05 1.2.3 Spatial Design Different configurations of programmes will result in different spatial experiences and relationships. The subdivision of the total site area for each programme may begin for practical reasons, but a designer must also consider vertical and horizontal layouts, spatial proportioning, and other concepts: Circulation and movement of users • Entrances, exits and means of escape • Natural lighting and ventilation • Pedestrian and vehicle paths • Green roof and wall • Width of corridors • Shading devices • Lifts, escalators, ramps and staircases Interaction of indoor and outdoor space • Barrier-free kinds of users • Balconies and terraces • Semi-open spaces Further development of the form of the architecture Size of rooms and common spaces • roof/ Pitch roof/ Roof with skylight • Room widths and depths • Round shape/ rectangular shape/ sculptural form

• Storey heights Design and Applied Technology | Structural arrangement Arrangement of rooms • Structural grid • Along an axis or loose, organic organization • Columns and load-bearing walls • Single-loaded or double-loaded corridor • Electrical and mechanical fixtures

Openings of the building masses Methodology: • Windows and doors • Architectural plans and sections • Courtyards • Perspective drawings • Physical models • Computer models Video: Design Process in Architecture Evaluation Points 1. Does the interior space fulfil required programmes?

2. Does the building provide an interesting spatial experience?

3. Is the building energy efficient?

1: Formal experiments explore how a design fits into the existing context 2: Models can help to test out spatial ideas © Helen Fan 3: Perspective drawings map a sequence of spaces © Helen Fan

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3 06 1.2.4 Detailing A building’s details can intensify the users’ spatial experience and perception of scale. Materials can enrich the textures and colours of a space to create a particular feeling.

Choices of materials and colours • Concrete may create a cold but sturdy feeling • Wood creates warmth but it is not water-resistant Evaluation Points • Steel provides many design options 1. How do the details enrich the users’ spatial experience? Structural details • Wall-ceiling junctions 2. Are the design elements structurally feasible? • Column-ceiling junctions • Overhanging roof/ Green roof 3. Does the design continue to convey the initial design • Innovative construction technology concept while fulfilling the needs of the user?

Finishing Design and Applied Technology | • Exposed structure • Wrapped structure with a finishing material

Details of windows, doors and railings

Artificial lighting installation • Lighting for working • Lighting for exhibition

Acoustic Design • Noise barriers Video: Design Process in Architecture • Sound enhancement

Methodology: 1 Architectural detail plans and sections • 1: Structural design over an Material selection diagrams • architectural plan Physical models • 2: Detail of a door hinge Computer models • 3: Choices of marble 4: Choice of colours and materials

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4 07 1.3 Architectural Design Presentation A full presentation should show 1. how the design evolved from a conceptual idea, 2. how the design process was carried out, 3. and what the outcomes of the design process are.

Common ways of presenting architectural design 1. Graphical representation 2. Physical modelling 3. Multi-media presentation

1.3.1 Graphical Representation Graphical representation is the most fundamental tool of architectural Tips design. The industry still relies on architectural drawings (plans, sections 1. Always put scale figures and Design and Applied Technology | and elevations) as the central means of communication. Planning your surrounding context into some graphical presentation includes parts of the presentation.

• Picking the right scale 2. A legend of functions, scale Different scales highlight different aspects of the design. Sketches bars and orientation marks should also be proportional even when precise scale is not applicable. should be used for effective Common scales are used according to what information the graphical communication. representation wishes to present. Drawings in a range of scales can help clients and contractors understand the design comprehensively.

Information Scales used Video: Design Process in Architecture Context analysis 1:2000/ 1:1000 Site-architecture relationship 1:1000/ 1:500 Programmes 1:500/ 1:200/ 1:100 Spatial design 1:200/ 1:100 Structural design 1:100/ 1: 50/ 1: 20 Detail design 1:50/ 1:20/ 1:10/ 1:5

• Choosing the right medium There are many ways to produce graphic representations of an architectural design. Depending on your skills and the time and resources available, choosing the right medium can convey the design concept efficiently and effectively.

Concept presenting Medium used Context analysis Photography/ sketches/ col- lage/ digital drawings Initial design concept Sketches/ collage/ digital drawings Architectural design Hand-drawings/ CAD drawings Spatial experience Perspective drawings/ Compu- ter simulation Choice of materials Digital drawings/ computer simulation Detail design CAD drawings/ Computer simulation

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t Architectural plan with legends, structural grids, dimensions, scale and orientation and landscape. q Architectural section showing internal Video: Design Process in Architecture structure, important dimensions and human scale

09 1.3.2 Physical Modelling Physical models can be a vivid simulacrum of an architectural design, showing the whole building or important parts of it. In a presentation, models from different stages of the design process may be shown.

As with graphical representations, things to consider include

• Appropriate scales Different scales of models may be used at different stages of the design process, or to explore different elements. (Refer to this section in Graphical Representation)

• Modelling materials

Making physical models can be time-consuming but it helps Design and Applied Technology | understand the design in a three-dimensional way. Some materials are very easy to work with while some are more suitable to convey the final result of the design process. The scale of the model also determines what kind of materials is suitable. A structural model 1 should be a good reflection of materials in real life.

Purposes Medium used Context analysis Papers/ cardboards/ foam/ acrylic Massing working models (forms Papers/ cardboards/ foam/ and programmes) acrylic Video: Design Process in Architecture Sectional models and presentation Papers/ cardboards/ wood/ models acrylic/ plaster/ bamboo sticks Details Wood/ metals/ plastic

Students should be creative and explore different kinds of materials. 2

1-4: Working models of different design stages 5: Sectional model showing structure and interior space

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5 4 10 Teaching Tips More about making models, please refer to Science Topic 03: ‘Model Making Workshop — Structure of Tall Buildings and Towers’.

Teaching Tips For the practical design process, reference can be made on Liberal Studies Topic 02: ‘Public Housing - improvement in quality of life’. Design and Applied Technology |

u Site model Video: Design Process in Architecture q Sectional model/perspective drawing showing interaction of spaces

11 1.3.3 Multi-media Presentation There are many design software available for architects to use. Some software can be used to test building performance, or the materials and lighting of the design. They can also be used to simulate a live tour through the architecture. can be convincing to an audience.

Multimedia should be incorporated wisely into a design presentation to show the overall design, spatial experience or any transformation of the design. However, it should not be the only presentation medium used for the presentation.

Common software used includes • AutoCAD • CorelDRAW • Sketchup Design and Applied Technology | • 3D Studio MAX • Rhino • Maya

q Material and lighting simulation in a design software Video: Design Process in Architecture

12 Examples of Architectural Presentation

1. Design Concept 5. Architectural Plans 4. Spatial Design and Sections Design and Applied Technology | Video: Design Process in Architecture

2. Working Process 3. Testing of Materials 6. Digital Simulation

7. Working Models 8. Presentation Models © Helen Fan

13 Summary 1. Architectural design is a balance between user experience and formal aesthetics. A building is a fusion of three-dimensional spaces that must be structurally feasible and contextually appropriate. 2. The four major stages of an architectural design process are: analysis of the site, assigning the programme, spatial design, and detail design. 3. Three common ways of presenting architectural designs are: graphical representation, physical modelling, and multi-media presentation.

Key words Architectural design Design and Applied Technology | Context Programme Schedule of accommodation Spatial hierarchy

Further reading Video: Design Process in Architecture 1. ChicagoArchToday: Making Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47lD_XQ5ID8 2. Barry Berkus: How To Think Like An Architect: The Design Process http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHoGicPQQQ 3. Architect Bjarke Ingels: Mountain Dwelling http://www.big.dk/projects/mtn/ 4. RTHK 2007 : 「漫遊城市建築」(Cantonese) http://rthk.hk/elearning/architecturetour/index.htm 5. Hong Kong Institute of Architects「建築師的見觸思」. Hong Kong: ET Press, 2002

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