What do you do if your innovative ideas in building design face challenges?

1 Understand the problem

Before you start designing, you need to understand the problem you are trying to solve and the context you are working in. What are the needs and goals of your client and the end-users? What are the site conditions and the environmental factors? What are the existing standards and codes that apply to your project? By asking these questions, you can define the scope and criteria of your design and avoid wasting time and resources on irrelevant or impractical solutions.

2 Research and benchmark

To generate innovative ideas, you need to research and benchmark the best practices and trends in your field and related disciplines. Look for examples of successful building designs that address similar problems or challenges as yours. Analyze how they achieve their goals, what materials and technologies they use, and what benefits and drawbacks they have. You can also learn from other industries and sectors that have innovative approaches to design, such as product design, engineering, or art. By doing this, you can expand your knowledge base and find inspiration for your own design.

3 Experiment and prototype

Once you have some ideas, you need to test and refine them through experimentation and prototyping. You can use different methods and tools to create prototypes, such as sketches, models, simulations, or mock-ups. The purpose of prototyping is to evaluate your ideas in terms of feasibility, functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. You can also use prototypes to communicate your ideas to your client, stakeholders, and collaborators, and get their feedback and input. By prototyping, you can identify and solve potential problems, improve your design, and validate your assumptions.

4 Collaborate and network

Innovation is not a solo endeavor. You need to collaborate and network with other professionals and experts who can help you realize your ideas. You can work with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, suppliers, or researchers who have the skills, knowledge, and resources that complement yours. You can also network with peers, mentors, or industry associations who can offer you advice, support, or opportunities. By collaborating and networking, you can leverage the collective intelligence and creativity of your team and community, and access new perspectives and insights.

5 Learn and adapt

Finally, you need to learn and adapt from your experience and outcomes. You can use various tools and techniques to measure and evaluate the performance and impact of your design, such as surveys, interviews, observations, or analytics. You can also compare your results with your initial goals and expectations, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design. By learning and adapting, you can celebrate your achievements, recognize your challenges, and discover new opportunities for improvement and innovation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?