71872242 Architectural Design Concepts

Kuwait University College of Engineering and Petroleum Department of Architecture Architectural Design 4 Spring – 2009 Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

Design Concepts

Digitally signed by Dr. Yasser Mahgoub DN: CN = Dr. Yasser Mahgoub, C = KW, O = Kuwait University, OU = Dept. of Architecture Reason: I am the author of this document Date: 2009.03.29 08:37:48 +03'00'

What is a concept? Why is it important to have a concept in your design? How to communicate your concept?

Introduction • The design process works with information and ideas simultaneously on many levels. • Designing is a reciprocal action and reflection. • One assembles the puzzle picture by searching for fits; piece after piece is picked up, tried, and found to be a misfit until, finally, the right piece steps into place. • The designers mind searches memory to find elements that meet their needs of the given problem.

Introduction • Creativity comes into play and the efforts to find approaches that will be original, aesthetically satisfying, valid solutions to the problems defined through programming. • Even experienced and highly skilled designers often find it difficult how this aspect of the design process works. • They will say that they “think about “the problem until they are “hit by an idea”.

Concepts Sphere Diagram

Definitions of Concept • • • • • • • • • •

Idea Theory Notion Parti (French) Conception Opinion Abstraction Philosophy Belief Inspiration

• • • • • • • • • •

Image View Intention Plan Fancy Thought Impression Hypothesis Supposition … DESIGN

Dimensions of Concepts Any building concept should provide: • Exterior Expression • Interior Experience

Levels of Expression The concept should be appeal to both: • The Normal Layman • The Professional Specialist

Elements of Concept Generation and Expression Function Form Materials Structure Lighting Ventilation Socio-Cultural Experiential Meaning Philosophy

Concepts Translations – Visual and Verbal

Concept Generators and Design Levels Concept

Philosophy Meaning Experience Sustainability Design Levels Socio-Cultural Structure Form Function

Concepts Criteria Summary

Concept Generators

Site Determinants • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Topography Climate Geography Demographic Geology History Social characteristics and conditions Economic conditions Legal, legislative and administrative conditions Location and visual aspects Land use Characteristics of man-made environment Circulation Technology Others

Physical Concepts • Location • View • Harmony with nature • Underground architecture

Cultural Factors • • • • • •

Historical factors Religious factors Social factors Economic factors Political factors Functional factors

Spatial Relations • The pragmatic space • The perceptual space • The existential space • The cognitive space • The abstract space

Qualities of Space • Proportion • Scale • Form • Definition • Color • Texture • Pattern • Enclosure • Light • View

Visual Design Factors: Form Characteristics • Continuity • Sequence • Repetition and Rhythm • Balance: Symmetrical & Asymmetrical • Proportion • Pattern, texture and color • Hierarchy • Transparency • Direction • Motion • Time • Sensory Qualities

Visual Design Factors: Visual factors • Visual perception: Structural approach - Evaluative approach • Orientation • Spacescape • Lynch 1 (Image of the City): path, node, edge, district, and landmarks • Lynch 2 (Theory of Place): Legibility, Structure and Identity, Imageability and Sequentiality

Visual Design Factors: Visual Organization Gestalt Theory (Proximity, similarity, continuity, closure) • Law of Proximity • Law of Similarity • Law of Continuity: good continuance • Law of Closure: forces of organization • Symmetry, Inclusiveness, Unity, Harmony, Regularity, Conciseness, Maximal Simplicity

Illustrations of Concepts

Illustrations of Concepts

Illustrations of Concepts

Examples

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