Residence Design Approach
Ar Sumi Agrawal
CONTENT
1. Process of Design
2. Concept - Various approaches
3. Design through Forms
Ar Sumi Agrawal
1. Process of Design
Pre Design Design Development Post Design
•Project Introduction(User •Conceptual Design(Zoning, •Working Drawings
Requirements,Spaces,Site) Conceptual Ideas,Study Models,Site •Tender for construction
•Research (Literature Study, Special Plan) •Execution of construction work
Studies, Case Studies, •Detail Design (Floor Plans, Sections,
Analysis,Inferences,Standards, Elevations,Area Statement,Model)
Design Brief)
•Site Study (Site Analysis, Contextual
Study i.e. history,culture,
Architectural Style,Communities,
Climate, Urban Scale)
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Pre Design Stage
•Project Introduction(Requirements,Spaces,Site)
•Research (Literature Study, Special Studies, Case Studies,
Analysis,Inferences,Standards, Design Brief)
•Site Study (Site Analysis, Contextual Study i.e. history,culture, Architectural
Style,Communities, Climate, Urban Scale)
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Design Development Stage
•Conceptual Design(Zoning, Conceptual Ideas,Study Models,Site Plan)
•Detail Design (Floor Plans, Sections, Elevations,Area Statement,Model)
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Post Design Stage
•Working Drawings
•Tender for construction
•Execution of construction work
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STAGE II - DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
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2. CONCEPT- Introduction
A concept is an idea, a theory or notion, but in
VARIOUS WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO
DEFINE A CONCEPT:-
architecture we could also describe a concept
§ IDEA, THOUGHT OR NOTION-An Approach to the as ‘an approach’ to the design.
Design
§ MIND REPRESNTATION When we think of an architectural concept, we
§ IMAGINATION think of an idea, one that is unchanging
§ SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM
§ DRIVING FORCE OR IDENTITY OF ANY WORK throughout the design process. It may be
linked to many factors, and can evolve as the
The architectural concept is design grows.
the underlying idea conceived as Architectural concepts are the designers way
the first step. It guides and holds of responding to the design situation presented
the project together. to them. They are a means of translating the
It is the main essence behind all non-physical design ideas/problem into the
decision-making. physical building product.
The purpose of an architectural concept (also known by the French word parti) is to
help generate a response to a given design based scenario, by addressing the
projects brief, context, restrictions, issues, use and structural requirements.
However, there does not have the need to be one singular idea, a building or structure
can have many different concepts that guide its individual parts to form the whole.
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When to start
You cannot begin to generate a concept until you understand the projects brief, site and
context, and so this should be your first point of call and the starting point to gathering all of
the projects required parameters.
The concept creation requires to address and research all the aspects to evaluate and
formalize the design method. Let’s understand the four key areas that influence your
concept:
Site Analysis: identify the aspects that will directly impact your design. Look for the
surrounding contexts, features, and characteristics of the site and then move forward with
the conceptual thought.
Design Brief: whether provided by the design professor, or the client, the design brief is the
crucial information that addresses the requirements from the design. A design brief
constitutes of preferences, budget, culture, preconceptions, agenda, personality,
organization, and program.
Buildings Typology: taking clues from the above-mentioned aspects, determine the style
or type of the building, the purpose, services, and functionality of the structure.
Project Narrative: this describes the thought behind your project. How is it going to affect
the user experience, how it will grow within the context.
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HOW TO GENERATE A CONCEPT?
FUNCTION
• AREAS
• SPACE
SITE • RELATIONSHIP
• DIMENSIONS • EQUIPMENTS
AND SHAPE USER
• ROADS AND • GENDER
ACCESS • NUMBER
• SURROUNDINGS • ACTIVITIES
•
AND VIEW
TOPOGRAPHY CONTEXT NEED CLIENT
(Program) • VISION
AND SOIL (Site) • ORGANIZATION
CLIMATE • BUDGET
• SUNPATH • SCHEDULE
• WIND DIRECTION
• PRECIPITATION
BUILDING FORM AND
DESIGN
•
•
HEIGHT
FORM PRINCIPLES SPACE DESIGN
ELEMENTS
• COLOR (Exterior form and
• POINT
• STRUCTURE • BALANCE Interior Space)
• LINE
• PROPORTIO
• SHAPE
N AND
• VOLUME
SCALE
• COLOR
• RHYTHM
• TEXTURE
• UNITY AND
• MATERIAL
VARIETY
• HARMONY
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HOW TO GENERATE A CONCEPT?
CONTEXT NEED
(Program)
(Site)
SOLUTIONS
CONCEPT
FORM AND
SPACE
(Exterior form and
Interior Space)
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Types of Architectural Design Concepts
There are many different types of architectural concepts you can adopt. These can originate
from various sources and apply to different kinds of projects, depending upon various factors.
Some of the famous architectural design concepts include:
1. Vernacular Architecture
2. Historical & cultural approach
3. Physical Features/ Topography
4. Form & Volume
5. Views
6. Use, Circulation & Need of Space
7. Ideas derived from nature
• LIGHT
• METAPHORS
• BIOMIMICRY
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1. Vernacular
Structures should always relate to the context, and in
the case of a solid vernacular, it is a great advantage
for developing the concept. Vernacular architecture is
an architecture style that develops from the particular
climate and social conditions of a place. Usually
reflected in the style, vernacular elements are
becoming typical in the modern architecture scene.
After all, vernacular architecture promotes ecological
solutions to design which are the basis of sustainable
architecture.
Mud and Timber Architecture of Ladakh Vernacular Haveli Rajasthan
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Bamboo House of Assam
Vernacular House of Kerela
Goan Vernacular House The Himalayan Vernacular: Kath-Khuni Architecture
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2. Cultural & Historical Approach
Historical and Cuiltural research of the project site and its surroundings opens up several
excellent opportunities for concept development. Almost every site has an interesting
historical background that provides information about past construction techniques and
tells how to modernize them.
A historical approach to concept development can also help determine how to establish a
new project keeping in mind the original plan. Using Cultural & historical influences and
techniques can be highly beneficial for the project.
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3. Natural Landscape/Physical Features
The topography/Physical features of the area
in which the project is set may include
mountains, rock formations, forests, artificial
Ncaved House,
structures, etc. The existing features of the Greece
site can become a setback for spatial
planning. However, if you can make use of
what already exists, it can bring better
connectivity with the [Link] is possible to use
these physical features to mould the design
process and guide concept development.
Knot House by Atelier Chang,South Korea
The Falling Water by F L Wright House in Chihuahua by Productora, Chihuahua, Mexico
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4. Form and Volume
It is best to begin the design process with a simple
volume and form study that allows the manipulation of
positive and negative spaces. However, this method
alone is inadequate to help develop an abstract idea
for the project. This technique should generally be
used in conjunction with another approach.
Lotus Temple
Chennai Airport form
derived from a flying
Interlace Housing form derived Mass & voids
bird
The Walt Disney Concert Hall, California
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5. Views
It is possible to design and shape the structure to
maximize the advantage of different views from the
site. Take advantage of various key spaces while
setting aside functional areas. If the site lacks any
perspective out, then views need to be created. The
concept should be developed keeping this in mind.
The idea should consider where and how the views
are and how they relate to the building.
Aggrenad hotel by AND
The building is formed like how fingers are branched out from a hand forming different parts. It
is the aggregation of unique rooms, yet at the same time, it is an organic monad. Each unit is
cantilevered out towards the sea as if fingers are pointing at the nearby islands. This allows
each unit to frame the surrounding landscape in a unique way. This three story building is
consisted of five rooms and a small cafe, and the rooms stacked in five split levels. The floor
and the ceiling of each unit are stretched out toward the different directions, and at the end of
each unit is a small balcony, which opens up toward the sea and the sky.
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6. Use/Circulation
• Best way to frame a conceptual plan is to
understand the various ways in which the
space can be used.
• The functions performed by a particular
element can help mark its position on the
layout.
• This will also help one determine which
spaces need to be in close proximity and what
can be placed farther away.
• The space mapping can be influenced by
other factors such as views, physical site
features and public and private spaces.
This approach is generally visible in supermarkets
where the vegetables and fruits are usually
placed at the front close to the entrance. This
decision makes your customers feel that they are
entering a natural environment.
Museums and art galleries also use this approach,
guiding the visitor purposely through the
exhibition spaces.
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7. Ideas derived from
Nature
• LIGHT - Light, both natural
and artificial, can define a
space, creating abstract
boundaries, by its relation
with shadow. Based on
the site analysis of sun path,
shadow studies and
orientation, architects can • METAPHORS -Metaphors in architecture
establish light as a core represent something tangible of an
design element. Natural intangible idea and a connection to new
lighting generally plays a key features
role in architecture as it
brings forth the comfort and
materiality of the space and
with less energy
consumption.
• BIOMIMICRY-Similar to metaphors, biomimicry is one of the familiar
types of architecture concepts that is inspired by nature. Here, it is not
copying the forms or elements directly, but understanding the features
by studying nature.
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In addition to above, there are several other concepts such as mass, journey, movement,
addition, subtraction, etc. All these offer different types of opportunities for developing an
architectural idea for the project. Select the approach that best suits the particular project’s
needs, keeping in mind the various essential factors that influence the project.
Conclusion
The development of the architectural design concept is one of the most vital parts of the
project design process. A project that has started with a well-developed concept has a greater
chance of resulting in a positive outcome.
There are several approaches to developing a concept for a particular project, and the
selection of the process varies from case to case. It is also possible to combine and use two or
more approaches together for the best results.
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3. DESIGN THROUGH FORM
These are few ways through which we can create a form based building
design:
1. Evolving the form (by applying different parameters)
2. Geometrical Forms
[Link] of a form from Nature
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[Link] Evolution
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Form Evolution
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Form Evolution
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Form Evolution
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Form Evolution
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Form Evolution
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[Link] Geometrical forms and Form evolution
Polygon as a form and cluster
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Polygon as a form and cluster
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Polygon as a form and cluster
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Polygon as a form and cluster
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Polygon as a form and cluster
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Polygon as a form and cluster
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Circle as a form and cluster
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Circle as a form and cluster
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Circle as a form and cluster
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Circle as a form and cluster
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Triangle as a form and cluster
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3. Form from Nature
Lotus Temple
• Lotus is a sacred flower
• It represents purity and cleanliness in Hindu tradition
• Resembles a semi open lotus flower floating in a water body
• Temple is surrounded by ponds and gardens which represent a giant
lotus flower floating in the water
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Beijing National Stadium
• Concept is based on a birds nest
• Constructed in 2008 for the Olympic Games- dynamic form and
scale
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Turning Torso Building, Malmo
• Concept is based on depicting human body in a turning motion
• The architect, Santiago Calatrava was inspired by a white marble
structure called Twisting torso.
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Chennai Airport
Architect- Creative Group, New Delhi
The Chennai Airport project is an
ambitious project that pushes the
extents of design and technology to the
next level.
Design Concept
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Conceived as Wings of a bird in flight
• The wings of a bird in flight inspire and
shape this very mammoth terminal building –
Chennai Airport, whose sheer scale and size
awes the onlooker.
• The two wings evolve as structural portals
and culminate into a system of roof, shading
Asia’s one of the greenest airport.
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Example of achieving concept in form through abstraction
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THANKYOU
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