The real value of an architect: Their design process.

For as long as human beings have existed, the basic need for shelter has been a constant. Knowing that this all started from living in caves, when we consider the typical modern building that you can have in 2022, it is breath-taking to see how far we have come. As the construction technologies and techniques have improved, new possibilities have emerged allowing for better ways of building. With the increasing complexity, there developed a need for specialization of the skills necessary to bring these new buildings to life. Thus, the profession of architecture emerged.

In architecture school, an architect is introduced to the concept of design thinking as an approach for coming up with a design. Through its approach of understanding the users of the design product, defining their requirements, proposing a concept based on the defined requirements and fine tuning the concept based on feedback from the users to get the final design, the desired outcome can be achieved consistently. For a client who is looking to unlock the full potential of a new project, design thinking provides a process that will meet and exceed their expectations, every time. Our lectures at the university knew this and every time we tried to rush through the design, they would tell us, you have to trust the process!

The Fallingwater House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, took a whole year to conceptualize, and the final product is considered one of the best architectural designs of the 20th Century.

So, to find out the step-by-step process that an architect should follow in order achieve a good design, read on below.

Step 1: Listen to the client's vision for the project.

An architect's first job is to listen to and understand the client's needs.

As the project financier and end user, it is important to ensure that the client's vision for the project is fully understood and incorporated into the design. The first task of the architect is therefore to listen to this vision and ask questions that can help the client to bring it out even better. This is a very important stage because when done well, the architect's first proposal will not need many alterations by the client thereby saving time for the project. Some clients may decide to give the architect a free pass to design as they please but it is still important to find out some of their preferences. It will infuse the client's personality into the project and they will appreciate it even more.

Step 2: Come up with a brief for the project.

Once the project requirements are fully understood, the next step is to put them in a document. This document is known as a project brief and will act as the marking scheme for the success of the project. A good design should meet and exceed the requirements set out in the brief.

Step 3: Conducting a site analysis.

The project site forms the backdrop of the design project. Site analysis allows the architect to discover how to blend the design into its context harmoniously.

A key step to producing a good design is conducting a thorough site analysis. Because the building does not sit in a vacuum, the site analysis will allow the architect to identify the site opportunities and constraints that need to be addressed. An exhaustive analysis is done by looking at the following areas

• Site Location.

The location of the site should be identified from a map of the larger area and areas of interest to the project located. An analysis of the location can reveal presence or absence of amenities, similar existing buildings e.t.c. This information can be used to assess the feasibility of the project especially if it has a commercial aspect.

• Neighbourhood Context.

The neighbourhood context focuses on the immediate surrounding of the site. It shows aspects like existing and projected land uses, building typologies, zoning and any other conditions that may have an impact on the project.?With this information, an architect can give recommendations on how the project can be designed to fit well into its context.

• Size and Zoning.

Size and zoning aspects include looking at survey maps to confirm the site boundaries, looking at the zoning requirements such as site setbacks, riparian reserves, plot ratios, ground coverage and any other special zoning laws that may apply to the site. This information will help to avoid coming up with a design that fails to qualify for construction approval later on.

• Legal.

Legal aspects such as restrictions placed on the title of the site should also be identified if applicable. If doubt arises, an advocate should be involved to ensure that there are no legal matters that would force the design, construction and occupation stages to stop.

• Natural Physical Features.

Aspects such as slope of the land, existing trees and vegetation should be recorded and accounted for in the design. A topographical survey from a surveyor will usually cover all natural physical features and gives the architect the necessary contour map to begin the concept design. This stage is critical because it will allow the building levels to sit well on the site with minimal excavation, good drainage of water and waste. Existing trees and vegetation should always be saved where possible because they add value to the design and it is good for the environment. Where it is impossible to save them then replacements should be planted.

• Man Made Features.

The existing structures (such as buildings, storm water drainage e.t.c.) on the site should also be recorded if they are present. The architect will recommend if some of them can be incorporated into the design. A topographical survey will also record existing structures and their positions.

• Circulation.

Existing paths and roads on site should also be recorded and analysed to see if they serve the site in an efficient way that does not waste space.

• Utilities.

Utilities are aspects such as electricity and water supply, connection to a sewer line, internet connectivity should also be identified. With this information, the architect's design can better incorporate utilities. It will also be possible to identify if a biodigester will be required in the project.

• Sensory.

It is of value to record the type, duration, intensity and quality (positive or negative) of the sensory issues such as views into and out of the site and sources of noise. With this information, the architect's design will also embrace the positive sensory experiences on site and mitigate the negative aspects.

• Climate.

A climatic analysis is also very important. Aspects of temperature variation throughout the year, sun path, wind amount and direction, rainfall and humidity amounts play an important role in determining the comfort of the home. They also play a big role in determining the sustainability of the design. When an architect has this information, they will design a building that will be comfortable to live in and have a low environmental impact. Doing so will greatly increase the value of the design.

This information should be compiled into a site analysis report that proposes recommendations that should be followed during the design process.

Step 4: Project case studies.

In order to bring out the project vision even better, an architect should present to the client some case studies that show similar projects that have been completed. Quite often the client will also have some suggestions on case studies that they would like the architect to look at. This step allows the client to have a better idea of what their completed project will look like and how it compares to existing ones.

Step 5: Finalization of the project brief and feasibility study.

With the information from the first 4 stages, the final brief for the project can be drawn up by the architect. The client should then be presented with it and confirm that it is in agreement with their requirements. In the case that the project's feasibility needs to be ascertained, the final brief can be used for that analysis.

Step 6: Concept design.

Finally, at this stage all the information necessary to inform the design has been collected. The architect will use the client's brief, site analysis recommendations and case studies to develop a concept design.

Step 7: Concept presentation.

A good concept presentation shows the design and how it responds to the information from the client's brief, site analysis recommendations and case studies.

The architect will then prepare a presentation for the concept design. Depending on the project and what the architect is trying to communicate, the presentation can be in the form of sketches, models, pdf drawings and/or 3D images. A good concept presentation should show the design and how it responds to the information gathered in the client's brief, site analysis recommendations and case studies.

Step 8: Final design.

After the presentation by the architect, the client should give their feedback. If they are happy with the concept presented, then the project can proceed to the next step after the client's approval. If there are any issues that they are not comfortable with, their feedback is taken by the architect and ploughed back into the design. The architect will then prepare another concept presentation reflecting the changes. Once the client is happy, the project can proceed to the next stage. The approved concept design becomes the final design.

Step 9: Detailed design.

At this stage, the final design is magnified and the finer details of the project are designed and specified. Aspects like material selections, interior design, landscaping, electrical and mechanical fittings are considered at this final stage. The final output for this stage will include all drawings that will be necessary to guide the project builders to construct the project according to the approved design.

By following this process, an architect and their client have the best chance of achieving a good design in an efficient and stress-free manner. I hope that this article offers you some insight that can help you make your next project a success.