ARCH 511: Theory of

Architecture 2

Prepared by: Ar. Arlene Christine C. Apelo

Instructor
Module 2
CONCEPTUALIZATION
TECHNIQUES OF
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN
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Architectural Concepts

◉ These have been the designer’s way of

responding to the design situation presented in
the program.
◉ These have been the means for translating the
non-physical problem statement into the
physical building product.

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Architectural Concepts

◉ Sometimes called the

“BIG IDEA”,
“BASIC FRAMEWORK”, or
“PRIMARY ORGANIZER”

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Some general categories under which the
concerns and issues of a building may be listed
and addressed in design are:

1. Functional zoning
2. Architectural space
3. Circulation and building form
4. Response to Context
5. Building Envelope

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Contexts for
Concept Getting
Before addressing considerations dealing directly with building
projects, there are some broader concerns which forms a context for
understanding architectural concept getting.

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Context for Concept Getting

◉ General philosophy and life values of the

Designer
○ Motivation and interest
○ Enhancement of self-image
○ Concern for fellow man
○ Conservation of what is scarce and valued

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Context for Concept Getting

◉ Design Philosophy of the Designer

◉ View of the problem by the designer
presented with a specific design project
○ Function ○ Enclosure
○ Space ○ Systems
○ Geometry ○ Economic
○ Context ○ Human Factors

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Creativity
3 Essentials to Development of Creative Skills

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Ideation

◉ Refers to the mental process itself. To ideate

means “to think” and that is of course, how to
train one’s self; think in new and unique ways

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Idea Quantity

◉ Means that the person who is capable of

producing the largest number of ideas per unit
of time has the greatest chance or producing
the truly significant one.

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Imagineering

◉ Letting your imagination soar and then

engineering it back to reality

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Stages in Designing

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Design Analysis

◉ We think of many great ideas because design

involves problem solving.
Example:
Bionics – How did nature solve the problem?
Spider webs – stronger tensile strength as steel
Anthills and the honeycomb – gives good housing shape

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Tentative Solutions

◉ Brainstorming – a group process in which

several people for a given amount of time,
gather together and discuss a particular
problem
Example:
To design a chair – Write several characteristics that
describe the chair such as: materials, shape, features

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Criticism

◉ Spend your time evaluating the situation: What

you did right, what you did wrong, and what can
be done to improve things.
◉ Recognize the value of criticisms, and when you
give it, be sure it is constructive. Constructive
criticisms tend to be positive and usually elicits a
better human response from the person who is
on the receiving end of it.
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Operational Process

◉ Use of the terms conceptual design to describe the

sketch, and operational design instead of working
drawings
◉ The conceptual arrangement is largely a statement of
intent for the guidance of structural and service
engineering consultants and for use in obtaining
information from the many manufacturers and suppliers
who will be involved in the work.

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Operational Process

◉ The result of this process is for the concept to be

changed in many ways, usually for practical purposes,
before the operational design reaches the stage of being
final working drawings.

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Geometric

◉ The detailed visual interrelationships between all the

parts of the building as the operational stage develops.
◉ The visual objectives should be kept in mind at all stages
but because of the inherent difficulties of design team
working, there is an increasing need to consider detailed
engineering decisions in geometric terms.

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Design Methods
and Design Tools

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Design Methods and Design Tools

◉ Pre-statement
◉ Problem Statement
◉ Information
◉ Analysis
◉ Synthesis
◉ Evaluation

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Thanks!
Reference:
◉ Architectural Theories of Design
by George S. Salvan

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