DESIGN CONCEPT
What is a concept?
Why is it important to have a
concept in your design?
How to communicate your
concept?
Definitions of Concept
• Idea
• Theory
• Notion
• Parti (French)
• Conception
• Opinion
• Abstraction
• Philosophy
• Belief
• Inspiration
• Image
• View
• Intention
• Plan
• Fancy
• Thought
• Impression
• Hypothesis
• Supposition
• … DESIGN
Introduction
• The design process works with information and
ideas simultaneously on many levels.
• Designing is a reciprocal action and reflection.
Introduction
• Inductive reasoning or inductive
logic, is a type of reasoning which
involves moving from the specific to
the general.
• Deductive reasoning or inductive
logic, is a type of reasoning which
involves moving from the general to
the specific.
Inductive Reasoning
from Specific to General
Deductive Reasoning
from General to Specific
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Inductive Deductive Reasoning
Philosophy
Meaning
Socio-Culture
Experiential
Function
Form
Structure
Materials
Lighting
Ventilation
Etc.
Deductive
Reasoning
“from general
to specific”
Inductive
Reasoning
“from specific
to general ”
Design
Reasoning
/
Logic
Levels
Introduction
• The designers mind searches
memory to find elements that meet
their needs of the given problem.
One assembles the puzzle picture by
searching for fits; piece after piece is
picked up, tried, and found to be a
misfit until, finally, the right piece steps
into place.
Introduction
• Creativity comes into play and the
efforts to find approaches that will be
original, aesthetically satisfying,
valid solutions to the problems
defined through programming.
• Even experienced and highly skilled
designers often find it difficult how
this aspect of the design process
works.
• They will say that they “think about
“the problem until they are “hit by an
idea”.
Dimensions of Concepts
Any building concept should provide:
• Exterior Expression
• Interior Experience
Levels of Expression
The concept should be appeal to both:
• The Normal Layman
• The Professional Specialist
Concepts Translations – Visual and Verbal
design concept generation
design concept generation
Concepts Criteria Summary
Concepts Criteria Summary
Mood or Inspirational Board
Mood or Inspirational Board
Concept Generators
Site Determinants
• Topography
• Climate
• Geography
• Demographic
• Geology
• History
• Social characteristics and conditions
• Economic conditions
• Legal, legislative and administrative conditions
• Location and visual aspects
• Land use
• Characteristics of man-made environment
• Circulation
• Technology
• Others
Physical Concepts
Location
 View
 Harmony with nature
 Underground architecture
Cultural Factors
• Historical factors
• Religious factors
• Social factors
• Economic factors
• Political factors
• Functional factors
Spatial Relations
 The pragmatic space
 The perceptual space
 The existential space
 The cognitive space
 The abstract space
Qualities of Space
 Proportion
 Scale
 Form
 Definition
 Color
 Texture
 Pattern
 Enclosure
 Light
 View
Visual Design Factors: Form Characteristics
• Continuity
 Sequence
 Repetition and Rhythm
 Balance: Symmetrical & Asymmetrical
 Proportion
 Pattern, texture and color
 Hierarchy
 Transparency
 Direction
 Motion
 Time
 Sensory Qualities
Visual Design Factors: Visual factors
Visual perception: Structural approach - Evaluative
approach
 Orientation
 Space scape
 Lynch 1 (Image of the City): path, node, edge,
district, and landmarks
 Lynch 2 (Theory of Place): Legibility, Structure and
Identity, Imageability and Sequentiality
Visual Design Factors: Visual Organization
Gestalt Theory (Proximity, similarity, continuity,
closure)
 Law of Proximity
 Law of Similarity
 Law of Continuity: good continuance
 Law of Closure: forces of organization
 Symmetry, Inclusiveness, Unity, Harmony,
Regularity, Conciseness, Maximal Simplicity
From Sketch to Reality
Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, Toronto
Examples of Sketches
Concept
Sketches
Illustrations of Concept
Illustrations of Concepts
Illustrations of Concepts
Illustrations of Concepts
Illustrations of Concepts
Illustrations of Concepts
Illustrations of Concepts
Illustrations of Concepts
Examples of Drawings
Examples of Drawings
Examples of Drawings
Thank you

Architectu_ral_Design_Lectures_5_Concept.ppt