Architectural Design Process

First Semester, SY 2019 - 2020

Dear Class,

It has been my pleasure to be a part of your studies in TIP Manila.

I hope the following materials can help you in your journey towards
being architects.

The following are my personal compilation. My request is that you

use them only in your studies and not for any other reason.

Thank you class.

Ar. Renee Borromeo

How do we
design?
It starts with
an idea….
…and what
comes next?
Simply put, we:
•determine which
elements to use,
•and how to arrange
them into patterns.
Although presented as a linear series
of steps, the design process is more
often a cyclical, iterative one in
which a sequence of careful analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation of available
information, insights, and possible
solutions is repeated until a
successful fit between what exists
and what is desired is achieved.
Define
Problem
The design problem is first defined.

The ability to define and understand

the nature of the design problem is
an essential part of the solution.
This definition should specify how
the design solution should perform
and what goals and objectives will
be met.
Formulate
Program
Analyze
Analysis involves
gathering relevant
information that
would help us to
understand the
nature of the
problem and
develop appropriate
responses.
An analysis of the
problem requires
that it be broken
down into parts, that
issues be clarified,
and that values be
assigned to the
various aspects of
the problem.
From the outset, it
is worthwhile to know
the limitations that
will help shape the
design solution.

Any givens—what can

change and what
cannot be altered—
should be determined.
Any financial, legal, or
technical constraints
that will impinge on
the design solution
should be noted
Through the design process,
a clearer understanding of
the problem should emerge.
New information may
develop that could alter our
perception of the problem
and its solution.
The analysis of a problem,
therefore, often continues
throughout the design
process.
Develop
Concept
Synthesize
From the analysis of the
problem and its parts, we
can begin to formulate
possible solutions.
This requires
synthesizing—bringing
together and
integrating—responses to
the various issues and
aspects of the problem
into coherent solutions.
Design requires rational thought based on
knowledge and arrived at through
experience and research.
Evidence-based design seeks to create better
design outcomes by basing decisions on
credible research.
Also playing important roles in the design
process are intuition and imagination, which
add the creative dimension to the otherwise
rational design process.
Assess
Alternatives
Evaluate
Design requires a critical view of alternatives
and careful weighing of the strengths and
weaknesses of each proposal until the best
possible fit between problem and solution is
achieved.
Within a range of
possible solutions,
each must be
evaluated according
to the criteria set
forth in the problem
statement and
further clarified in
the problem analysis.
Make Design
Decisions
While the initial stages of the design process
encourage divergent thinking about the
problem, the design development phase
requires a convergent focus on a specific
design solution.

initial stages = explore options

design development phase requires = focus

on a specific design solution.
Develop and
Refine
Design
Successive explorations of the problem and
the evaluation of alternative solutions should
help narrow the choices for design
development.
Implement
Design
Once a final decision has been made,
the design proposal is developed,
refined, and prepared for
implementation.
This includes the production of
construction drawings and
specifications and other services
related to purchasing, construction,
and supervision.
Reevaluate
Completed
Design
No design process is complete until a
design solution that has been
implemented is evaluated for its
effectiveness in solving a given problem.

This critical appraisal of a completed

design can build up your knowledge
base, sharpen your intuition, and provide
valuable lessons that may be applied in
your future work.