The document discusses architectural concepts and how they are developed and expressed. It defines a concept as an idea or thought that provides identity and direction for a project. Concepts can come from a site, program, culture or influences. They should provide an exterior expression and interior experience. Concepts are expressed through diagrams, models, analogy, and metaphor to convey relationships and ideas. Developing a strong concept gives depth and meaning to a design.

1. Architectural concepts
A guide to architectural
design concepts

2. What is a concept?
• I si ple ords …. A o ept is a Idea!
• Something formed in the mind; a thought or notion.
• Mind representation.
• Solution.
• Driving force of any project, an identity for the work.
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3. Definitions of Concept
• Idea
• Theor
• Notio
• Parti Fre h
• Co eptio
• Opi io
• A stra tio
• Philosoph
• Belief
• I spiratio
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What is a concept?
• Image
• View
• Intention
• Plan
• Thought
• Impression
• Hypothesis
• … DESIGN
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Where do ideas (Concepts) come from?
• Site (site analysis)
• Program (functional requirements)
• Place / Culture / Society
• Technology / Materiel / Method
• Personal Architectural Influences
• Movement
• Space / Emotions
• Speed / Technology
• Memory / Place
• Precedent Research
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Dimensions of Concepts
Any building concept should provide:
• E terior E pressio
• I terior E perie e
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Levels of Expression
The concept should be appeal to both:
• The Nor al La a
• The Professio al Spe ialist
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Elements of Concept Generation and
Expression
Function
Form
Materials
Structure
Lighting
Ventilation
Meaning
Philosophy
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You might be asking yourselves: I can design without a concept,
why do I need to go through all the trouble?
That’s a solutel true ut ou eed a o ept e ause:
1. It gives depth and meaning to your work, the more innovative and
coherent your concept the more interesting your work is!
2. Concepts open the door for more related ideas, they make you think and
research. A richer concept means a richer building!
3. Concepts are what distinguish architects, yes anyone might be able to
design (functionally) with experience, but your creativity is what makes
you special! Even among peer architects and designers.
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Help! I am stuck
• Be comfortable, use any, yes any way you find best to express what you
are thinking of.
• Understand the nature and context of the project you are working on.
• Brainstorm, don`t be afraid to experiment!
• Empty all your thoughts, the relevant and irrelevant, on butter paper.
Doodles are not only fun, but they usually also carry messages!
• Select one or a couple of ideas, work more intensively on them.
• Settle on the concept, an idea you personally feel attracted to.
• Remember; great concepts have a humble beginning. Concepts evolve.
• With time, every architect finds his preferable way.
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But also …
• Remember that the concept is usually derived from an idea related to the
proje t, its fu tio , o te t, o je ti e,…
• The concept will definitely e ol e as u ork, do ’t orr !
• The concept is to be applied on any project (of any scale) on all levels and
details.
• And again; great concepts have a humble beginning.
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15. You have a concept but don`t know how to
communicate it?
• Multiple tools can be used to express your idea;
– Drawings, all sorts of drawings are applicable even if a section.
– Conceptual models.
– Use little text!
• Using different materials, colors and methods might help you both
understand better what you are doing and hence express your concept.
• Sometimes you need multiple tools to express your idea.
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16. How can I express a concept?
1. Diagrams: drawings of geometric shapes to show different relationships
within any given space.
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17. 2. Parti: a type of diagram that serves as a
general idea to figure out a building's
program or layout . They are usually in the
form of quick sketches or even 3D models.
How can I express a concept?
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18. Examples..
•Parti model
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19. 3. Morphology:
the study of the forms of things, in particular.
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21. Diagrams Examples...
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26. Conceptual models
Yes you can turn your idea into a model!
Conceptual model can be used to express:
• Layers of a project; vertical, horizontal and rotated planes.
• Outer Shell.
• Circulation, whether vertical or horizontal and types.
• Materials and colors
• Any construction issues
• Coherence with Topography
• Any other idea u want to communicate
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29. Analogy & Metaphor

30. Definition
• Analogy : a similarity between like features of two things, on which a
comparison may be based.
• Analogy is a cognitive process of transferring information from a
particular subject (the analogue or source) to another particular subject
(the target), and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a proccess.
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31. • Analogy: A comparison based on such similarity;
a. superficial analogy: to take the same shape of sth without any change.
(direct)
b. structural analogy: to make a structure of building from a shape or
something.
c. holistic analogy: combination of both.
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32. Metaphor
• Metaphor is a literary term which means "carrying-over and a synonym is
the word transfer.
• It associates meanings, emotions, things , times and places which
otherwise would not have been related.
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33. Examples…
• Sa tiago Calatra a ….. E e o ept
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34. Tornado Tower,
(designed by Manuel Gausa ACTAR Arquitectura,2001, Barcelona)
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35. Concert Hall
by Santiago Calatrava , the City of Arts (Valencia).
• The o ert hall features the ar hite t’s sig ature i g effe t – a single
wing that seems to enfold the building without covering it entirely.
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37. The shape of the spar and its cables is said to evoke an image of a harp lying
on its edge
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39. Full Moon building
in Azerbaijan
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40. Steven holl;
Sponge concept
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42. Recommendations
• Be aware of the following:
– Overcomplicating the issue, remember your concept evolves.
– Being afraid of expressing you ideas.
– Using too much text.
– Not enjoying what you are doing.
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43. Thank you
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44. Examples 

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