Creative Synthesis in Architecture

I have been advocating for the adoption of ecosystems (setting up the team of key consultants with the client at the very start of a project) for some time now. One of my reasons for doing so is the fact that ecosystems inspire "emergent" architecture. This means that they are consistently able to generate creative design solutions that:

• co-evolve through an intentional design process,
• are not reliant on being generated by the brilliance of an individual, and
• are not formed intentionally.

During a recent lecture to Master's Architecture students at Newcastle University I was challenged by a student, “…but what if the structural engineer says ‘no’?”

It’s essential to bring together the different parties which includes the architect, structural engineer and builder. All of these experts bring unique perspectives to the table, and when combined, they can create something truly remarkable.

However, it's not just about bringing together experts from different fields. It's about using creative synthesis to bring out the best in each other and to create something that no-one could have come up with alone.

What emerges from an ecosystem is unique to the people within that ecosystem. The resulting architectural design is a synthesis of the diverse perspectives that exist within the group. A different group would develop a different solution. The most consistent way to produce breakthrough designs is by synthesizing the perspectives of the group, taking multiple ideas and finding solutions that exist between the perspectives, not outside of them.

It is possible for a single brilliant idea to occur that is radical and outside of the perspectives of the group, but these occurrences are not process-driven, and they rely on the individuals, rather than harnessing the ideas within the group. For consistent innovation, adopting the process of synthesis is far more effective.

When a builder, structural engineer and an architect work together, their different perspectives can create a powerful tension that can drive innovation. The builder's focus on the practical and buildable, the engineer's focus on function and safety can complement the architect's focus on form and aesthetics, resulting in an emergent design that is greater than the sum of its parts.

This tension is essential to the creative synthesis process. It allows the team to explore different possibilities, challenge assumptions, and ultimately arrive at a solution that is both innovative and practical. If there is only one person driving the design, and the other parties are simply compliant and not challenging the ideas, it is unlikely that truly creative or innovative solutions will continue to arise. It will arise only in moments of brilliance from that single individual.

Creative Synthesis would encourage us to avoid the word "no" during the design process. It tends to result from a black-and-white question, which limits the development of ideas. Instead, ideas should start as concepts and slowly develop into more granular solutions. When faced with a black-and-white question that could be answered with "yes" or "no", the discussion should be guided back to the underlying concept. Addressing the concept, rather than the specific question, allows for a more flexible and evolving discussion.

It is important to keep the conversation open and engage with the group. This allows the solution to co-evolve within the team, and ensures that everyone is on the same page. By doing so, the team can ensure that the final design encapsulates all of the different perspectives.

The power of creative synthesis in designing structures cannot be overstated. By bringing together experts from different fields and leveraging the tension between their perspectives, it is possible to consistently arrive at a solution that is both innovative and practical. So, embrace the tension, keep the conversation open, and let the creative synthesis process work its magic!

I have been greatly influenced by Sarah Harvey's paper. However, the only flaw in the paper is that it does not discuss architecture. Architectural design has all the ingredients, including an amazingly diverse group of people with diverse perspectives, to consistently create and innovate.

Creative Synthesis - Sarah Harvey

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