ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH REPORT WRITING FORMAT

AR-501: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IV

by
RAVINDAR KUMAR
Assistant Professor
Department of Architecture and Planning
NED University of Engineering and Technology
Karachi

Topic: ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH REPORT WRITING FORMAT

i. Abstract
ii. Acknowledgements
iii. Table of Contents
iv.List of Maps, Charts, Graphs & Tables
v. List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

Chapter # 1 - Introduction
1.1: Background Problem statement; Research questions
1.2: Objective Sub-objectives
1.3: Methodology
1.4: Scope and Parameters
1.5: Rationale and Justification
1.6: Expected results
1.7: Use of Study

Chapter # 2 Literature Review

2.1: Definitions and descriptions (background of literature review)

2.2: Different Authors and their books, articles etc. (Summary of whatever literature
reviewed)
2.3: Architects perspective
2.4: Research Arguments ( view points of different authors both for and against)
2.5: Theoretical Framework (Identification of the gaps in arguments where you want
to work)
2.6: Conceptual Framework (Hypothesis development)

Chapter # 3 Research Design

3.1: Lessons learned through literature review
3.2: Breakup of Hypothesis in Parameters / Variables; Indicators/Values and Sources.
3.3: What data shall be collected (Based on Hypothesis breakup)
3.4: What shall be the method to collect the data
3.4.1: Observations
3.4.2: Interviews
3.4.3: More literature review
3.4.4: Questionnaire Survey
3.4.5: Photographic Survey
3.4.6: Map making (GIS/Remote Sensing)
3.4.7: Retrospective Prospective Study or Before and After study
3.4.8: Case studies method etc. Comparison of Local as well as International cases
3.4.9: Experimentation (Practical Modeling)
3.5: Method of data presentation
3.6: Method of analysis

Chapter # 4 Architectural Research

4.1: Factual data presentation (Local and International Case Studies/Contextual
Information)
4.2: Data analysis as per selected method of Analysis
4.3: Synthesis (Summary of Arguments)

CHAPTER # 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1: Summary of Research Findings
5.2: Interpretation of Research Findings into Design Brief
5.3: Justification of Design Brief
5.4: Site Selection Criteria; Site Selection and Analysis
5.5: Design Philosophy, Concepts and its Justification

Chapter # 6: Design Proposal

6.1: Design Development Process
6.2: Master Planning Process and Alternatives Development
6.3: Detailed Design Process and Alternative development
6.4: Proposed Master Plan
6.5: Proposed Detailed Design (Floor Plans, Elevations, Sections, Views, Details
below ups, Block Models and Detailed Models

Chapter # 07 Research Appraisal

7.1: Brief Presented to the Jury
7.2: Questions asked by Jury Members
7.3: Answers given to Jury Members
7.4: Jurys Final Remarks (Unanswered questions)
7.5: Avenues for further research in future

8: REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

9: ANNEXURES

HOW TO GIVE THE REFERENCES? BOTH IN FOOT NOTES AND IN BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Following is the style of references that may be followed in the thesis report.

Book (Elements of the citation) Author(s) of book family name and initials Year of
publication, Title of book italicised, Edition, Publisher, Place of publication.

Chapter in a book (Elements of the citation)

Author(s) of chapter family name and initials Year of publication, Title of chapter
in single quotation marks, in Editor(s) of book (eds), Title of book italicised,
Edition, Publisher, Place of publication, Page numbers.

Conference paper (Elements of the citation)

Author(s) of paper family name and initials Year of publication, Title of paper in
single quotation marks, Title of published proceedings which may include place
held and date(s) italicised, Publisher, Place of Publication, Page number(s),
(viewed date-in-full, URL if accessed electronically).

Journal Article (Elements of the citation)

Author(s) of journal article family name and initials Year of publication, Title of
journal article in single quotation marks, Title of journal italicised, Volume, Issue
or number, Page number(s), (viewed date-in-full, URL if accessed electronically).

Thesis (Elements of the citation)

Author of thesis family name and initials Year of preparation of thesis, Title of
thesis in single quotation marks, Award, Institution issuing degree, Location of
institution.

Report (Elements of the citation)

Author(s) of report (person or organisation) Year of Publication, Title of report italicised, Report number (if available), Publisher/ Institution, Place of publication,
(viewed date-in-full, URL - if accessed electronically).

Newspaper and magazine article (Elements of the citation)

Author(s) of article family name and initials Year of publication, Title of article in
single quotation marks, Title of newspaper italicised, Day month, Page number(s).

Web page (Elements of the citation)

Author(s) of page (person or organisation) Year (page created or revised), Title of

page - italicised, description of document (if applicable), name of the sponsor of the
page (if applicable), viewed date-in-full, URL.

Patent (Elements of the citation)Author(s) of patent family name and initials Year
of issue, Title of patent- italicised, Number of patent including country of issue.

Standard (Elements of the citation)

Corporate body issuing standard Year of publication, Title of standard- italicised,
Number of standard including identifier of issuing country or body, Publisher of
standard, Place of publication.

Map (Elements of the citation)

Issuing body Year of publication, Title of map italicised, Series (if available),
Publisher, Place of publication.

Personal communication (Elements of the citation)

Information obtained by interview, telephone call, letter or email should be
documented in the text, but should NOT be included in the list of References.

PERSONAL NOTE:

DEAR STUDENTS KINDLY ATTEND THE LECTURE CONCERNING AFFOREMENTIONED

CONTENTS OF THE THESIS REPORT. PLEASE PREPARE AS MANY QUESTIONS AS
POSSIBLE SO AS A FRUITFUL ARGUMENTATION MAY ARISE THROUGH OUR
DISCUSSION.