U a

HOW TO DEVELOP ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS

One of the most popular questions I get asked by students is ‘how do
you develop architectural concepts?’.

The design process can be daunting to new students, who often find
it difficult to find a direction in their design. They are constantly
asked, ‘what is your concept?’ by their tutors, and respond by staring
blankly back at them.

In this article we will take a close look at architectural concepts and

how it fits in with the design process.

What is a concept?
Table of Contents 

1. What is a concept?
2. Approaches to the design
2.1. Functional
2.2. Material
2.3. Contextual
2.4. Conceptual
2.5. Formal
2.6. Collaborative
2.7. Philosophical
3. Exercises and Ideas
 3.1. Break it down
3.2. Understand the problem
3.3. Sketch
3.4. Study your precedents
3.5. Design Solution

Concept: Definition
an abstract idea
a plan or intention
an idea or invention to help sell or publicise a commodity
idea, notion, theory, conviction, opinion

Concept Sketch – Frank Gehry

http://williambellamyinfluences.blogspot.com
 
A concept is an idea, a theory or notion, but in architecture we could
also describe a concept as ‘an approach’ to the design.

When we think of architectural concepts, we think of an abstract

idea, one that is unchanging throughout the design process. This is
not necessarily the case, a concept can be linked to many factors,
and can evolve as the design grows.

Architectural concepts are the designers way of responding to the

design situation presented to them. They are a means of translating
the non-physical design problem into the physical building product.
Every project will have critical issues, central themes or problem
essences, and the general issues of designing a building can be
approached in a number of ways.

You can download this article as a handy pdf – just click on the
button below.

Click here to download

Approaches to the design

There are several areas the designer may focus on at the early stages
of design that will begin to inform the concept and direction. These
areas may be drawn upon throughout the project, weaved into one
another, as the project develops. The approaches can be categorised
as:

Functional
Material
Contextual
Conceptual
 Formal
Collaborative
Philosophical

 
The aforementioned themes can be combined and shifted to expand
and explore the different approaches to the development of design
and architectural concepts.

Functional
Should we approach the design with function at the forefront of our
minds? Does the project have more necessity for the functional
elements rather than the aesthetic appearance of the building?
There are certainly some types of buildings that we would make
function high up on our priority list. For example, a factory will have
quite particular functional requirements, or if designing a hospital
we would want to ensure that the building can be used effectively
above anything else.

Just because we focus on the functional approach to the design, it

does not mean that we cannot demonstrate creativity and flair.
Every project will present opportunities to problem solve, be
innovative, but it may just be that in some cases the function of the
building is our key focus.
 
 
McLaren Tech Centre – https://www.aol.co.uk/2010/07/07/cleanliness-
is-next-to-godliness-autoblog-visits-mclaren/?guccounter=1

Material
We may approach our design looking at the materials of the
structure as part of our early architectural concepts. By focusing on
a specific material, we will be naturally led towards particular forms
of construction, thus creating a type of appearance organically.

Perhaps we select a material approach based on our site context,

which suggests a historical use of a particular material, which we
want to use in a more innovative way. By selecting local materials, it
will give the local visitors a sense of comfort and familiarity, whilst
also giving a nod to the natural surroundings and environmental
benefits of sourcing locally.
 
 
St Peter House – Proyecto Cafeina & Estudio Tecalli
https://www.archdaily.com/893830/mexican-houses-that-show-the-
many-ways-to-use-bricks

Contextual
A contextual approach to our concept will look at the context of the
site and surroundings, the historical features of the area, the people
that occupy the area. After all, pretty much all architecture is for
people. With this type of concept, we draw heavily once again from
our site analysis, exploring the data we have collected about the site,
both physical and non physical.

Every project should have an element of a contextual approach, as

every design should consider its context, site and surroundings.
Some designs may focus more on this than others, and some may
take this as the most important factor in design.
A contextual approach to a design does not always mean it will sit
harmoniously in its surroundings. The architect may choose to turn
the buildings back on the context, or perhaps create a contrast
between the old and the new. There are a number of approaches to
the contextual architectural concepts.

 
 
Conceptual
A conceptual approach to a design is looking at the idea of
conceptual architecture. This suggests that every part of the project
is about the concept. The sole focus of the design is about the idea,
rather than a combination of approaches and processes. Conceptual
architecture is sometimes never built, but rather designed as a form
of thought provocation, exploration of ideas.

Formal
A formal approach to design looks at drawing on the formal language
of architecture to develop a concept. We look to architecture from
the classical period to inform our approach to developing the formal
rules of our design. The classical orders are one of the earliest
systems of architectural language, which give formality to
proportion, scale and form.
Although the design may not be classical in its style, it may be that
the formal rules of proportions, scale, the golden section and so on
are translated into a contemporary building.
 

Collaborative
Most projects can be considered to be collaborative. Whether there
is a large design team working on the different aspects of the
building, there is also the client, stakeholders, engineers, surveyors,
contractors and many more people involved in the design. However,
the end user of the building is one of the important parts of the
puzzle that often is not directly involved in the design process.

Some architects are starting to take the approach that the end user
is the expert in the requirements of the building, and engaging in a
collaborative exercise that sees the end user contributing to the
design process. This is particularly popular with projects that have a
large community or social focus, where the skills and knowledge of
the building users can be included in the development of the project.

This approach is rarely possible in a student project, but worth

considering as an approach to design.
 
 
 

Philosophical
 
Another approach to architectural concepts is to consider your
design philosophy. This is a set of values you use to inform your
design. The values could be the life values of the designer, or could
be a reflection of the design brief or context of the site, or indeed a
combination of all three.

You could investigate some of the following statements:

artistic vs. scientific

rational vs. irrational
personal vs. universal
visual vs. non visual
needs vs. wants
individual vs. society
Then you can go on to look at your values in terms of design. How do
these values work with the design problems you face on this
particular project?
 
ordered vs. random
structured vs. unstructured
objective vs. subjective
one answer vs. multiple solutions
creative vs. conservative
specific vs. general
man vs. nature
complexity vs. simplicity
design for now vs. design for the future
patterned process vs. random process
Exercises and Ideas
 
 
Your architectural concepts should evolve alongside your in depth
site analysis, and design brief generation. Development of your
architectural concept should not be the very first thing you look at
with your design. Refer to your research and site information
regularly and continue to draw out the problems that you need to
resolve to make a successful design. What are the parameters that
are being measured in order for the design to be considered
successful?

The following ideas might help you develop your design concept.

Break it down
 
Explore the information you have collected and break it down into
areas that have meaning to you. Consider the problems, the
influences, the context.

What are the limitations? What are the opportunities? Consider the
different approaches above and look at which ones would have
relevance and meaning to your project.

Understand the problem

 
Make a diagram of the problems, or requirements of the building. By
understanding the needs you may be led to an approach to focus on.

Sketch
 
Another useful way to develop your ideas, sketch out your concepts.
Whether it is tiny elements of design detail, or general form of your
building. Keep referring back to your sketches, as they may inspire a
development of design.

Study your precedents

 
Carrying out in depth research relating to your design problems will
inspire you and help you discover solutions. You can study how
issues have been solved in other designs, and how they might direct
you with your own. It is not copying, but using previous design
innovation to inform your design solutions.

Design Solution
 
Your concepts and solutions will begin to build as you explore the
different factors required in your design and the values and ideas
you can come up with. Hopefully these tips and pointers will help
you to develop your concepts in design, and give you more
confidence in presenting your designs.

Other posts you might be interested in include:

You can download this article as a handy pdf – just click on the
button below.

Click here to download

Recent Posts
Detail Library – New Details for June

Toffu Vector Downloads

 Stair Design Guide 03 – Regulations

14 Comments
Toffik Fedlu on November 29, 2018 at 7:02 pm

Thanks for all it is very important advice and

instructions.

Reply

RETS`ELISITSOE on March 27, 2019 at 2:02 pm

hi Toffik, it seems like we are on the same board, so

do you mind to be my friend and share some
 information and other

things towards our study

Reply

Lewis wamae on February 19, 2019 at 10:03 am

Useful

Reply

Suvi on March 4, 2019 at 10:37 am

Thank you very much

Reply

Anthony Sully on May 21, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Interesting and I feel obliged to show the following

extract from my book ‘Interior Design: Conceptual
Basis’:

‘What is a design concept? The written description of a

concept tries to be the embodiment of the actual
experience people will feel and see when they enter a
space, so it is never the perfect way of communicating it.
I refer to people in the generic sense instead of alluding
to gender, age or cultural differences. To begin with a
concept is an idea, a formation of something that will
eventually drive an actionable reality within the interior
that allows the activities of the project to take place.
EIGHT MINOR DESIGN CONCEPTS THAT HAVE TO BE
DEVELOPED INTO THE MAIN CONCEPT: Two groups:
ORGANISATIONAL: Planning, Circulation, Lighting and
Services. FORM: 3 Dimensions, Construction, Materials
and Colour.

Reply

Lobna Alwani on April 10, 2021 at 6:14 am

Could you please explain more about the

ORGANISATIONAL. Is that appear through the
drawing or keywords??

I did what the doctor said and explain my concept

idea about it. But they refused it . I need more
explanation about conceptual idea step by step
please. Or if you have some websites may i learn
more from.

Reply

PETTOG TCHATCHOUA Gide on July 22, 2019 at 6:29 pm

Thanks . It is very helpful.

Reply

Skylar Cavanaugh on January 9, 2020 at 6:37 pm

One of the best explanations on Architectural Concepts.

 Reply

https://miniurl.cyou on October 11, 2020 at 4:19 pm

I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am

not certain whether this post is written by way of him as

nobody

else understand such specific about my problem. You are

wonderful!

Thank you!

Reply

Emma on October 12, 2020 at 7:38 am

Thank you! 🙂
Reply

Furqatjon Olimjonov on October 20, 2020 at 7:30 pm

Thanks a lot

Reply

bezhan on November 7, 2020 at 7:32 pm

thanks for those amazing info

Reply
 liam on February 2, 2021 at 5:40 pm

when was this published

Reply

Eben on June 2, 2021 at 11:49 am

How do you know the difference between a good and a

bad concept?

Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment
data is processed.

MY FAVOURITE TOOLS AND RESOURCES

I have curated a list of some of the tools and resources I would
strongly recommend for anyone studying or working in
Architecture.

Check it Out

JOIN US
Join over 20,000+ active members of the FIA community and sign up to my
newsletter to get all the latest news!

First Name Email Address

Subscribe

SOCIALS

Some articles on this site may include affiliate links for which I may make a small
commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase

Terms and Conditions

Work With Me
Terms of Use
Cookies and Privacy Policy

Returns Policy
Contact

© First in Architecture | All rights reserved | Owned by Archiwork Ltd | Company Number

12667397