30X40 Design Workshop
All architecture begins with a concept. If you’re struggling to find one, curious about what one is, or wondering how architects begin their projects; this short course will walk you through the process I use and some of the techniques I rely on to develop architectural concepts all illustrated with one of my residential projects.
Design is a dialogue, and the concept ensures you have something to talk about. In this video I discuss the precise steps I take when beginning each project and how those steps lead me to an architectural concept.
Before we can develop the concept, we have to first understand the practical constraints. My design process begins only after gathering and assessing all the given parameters for a project. Now, this primarily consists of three types of information. There’s information derived from the site – things like: local climate, the prevailing winds, the solar aspect, vegetation, neighboring structures, the site’s history, and any unique liabilities or opportunities. The site of course also comes along with legal frameworks for development, which describe where and what we can and can’t build.
The second type of information we’ll gather is from the client. Every client has a set of cultural beliefs and preconceptions, preferences and agendas. Of course, we’ll want to determine their budget, and understand the personality traits and organizational politics which might also shape the design. The client and the building type together determine what architects call, “the program” which is essentially a detailed accounting of all the spaces the building will contain.
And the third type of information I gather is related to the building typology – is it a museum, a home…or a school for example? To learn about a building typology we often conduct an analysis of notable or relevant historical precedents. We want to know the essential problems these types of structures grapple with. Understanding the history of the archetype allows us to approach a problem from a fresh perspective.
All of this is necessary information that we collect for every project. This inventory can also serve as the progenitor for the design concept – our seed idea. And, rather than shunting creativity, these constraints often incite the creative process.
Concept Inspirations Discussed:
– Site
– Client
– Narrative
– Materials
– Structural
– Mainifestos
– Formal
As with a good film, the setting, the characters, the cinematography, and the plot all conspire to make it what it is. It’s the experience you’ll recall rather than the concept per se. Sure, the concept sets the film in motion and it’s the starting point for all that follows. But this concept – the one or two-line description – can’t possible capture the richness and depth of the finished film…or in our case the architecture. Yet without it, the work is unfulfilling and so it should be clear that the concept is necessary for all our work as architects.
// GEAR I USE //
DSLR CAMERA:
* Canon 70D: http://amzn.to/29klz7k
LENSES:
* Canon 24mm f2.8 Lens: http://amzn.to/29l7ac5
* Canon 40mm f2.8 Lens: http://amzn.to/29x2QcI
AUDIO:
* Rode VideoMic Pro (hotshoe mtd.): http://amzn.to/29qlNM3
* ATR-2100 USB (dynamic mic): http://amzn.to/2dFDaKp
ARCHITECTURE GEAR:
* Prismacolor Markers: http://thirtybyforty.com/markers
* Camera Timelapse: http://thirtybyforty.com/brinno
* AutoCAD LT: http://amzn.to/2dxjMDH
* SketchUp PRO: http://amzn.to/2cRcojz
* HP T120 Plotter: http://amzn.to/2dBGf1O
* Adobe CC Photography (Photoshop/Lightroom) Plan: http://amzn.to/2dhq5ap
STARTUP TOOLKIT:
* Architect + Entrepreneur Startup Toolkit: http://thirtybyforty.com/SPL
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
Please watch: “Making a Site Model – The Outpost Project”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsJrDScS5ZI
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~- .
See these principles in practice on a REAL project: https://youtu.be/1R2XBVL1oP4
and for part 2 of the Architecture Short Course: https://youtu.be/U2W5Wmp15YA
You can make a good lecturer!!!
What was meant by the 8th design concept of form?
Quite well explained about the meaning of concept in design process
thanks for the help i'm 3 wanting to be an architect when I grow up you helped me with my decision making
Big, big tumbs UP
When I learn more from this than hours of lectures
Hi, how would you define and start a precedent study of a building in Architecture. I don't mean case study. The contents (spatial organisation, materials, sun orientation, etc..) with tips and ideas on how to begin would be well appreciated. Thanks 😊
I'm actually aspiring to be an illustrator, but at the moment I'm making myself work on a background for a piece of fan art of fan fiction, and decided to include a part of the castle from the story in it. Only problem? The fan fiction gives little to no description on the castle and the area the piece is set in. SO! I am now trying to design a castle(or part of it, at least) for my illustration and this video is definitely helping me to refine my thought process so that I'm not as lost. Thank you for the video!
I'm totally glad I've found this video (fortunately), but unfortunately, I found this after paying $5k for one semester of "Designing Environments" which I have totally had no idea what the subject, Lecturer and Tutor are talking about.
you should have started with a bubble diagram instead of rectangles
Your video really helps young architecture students that do not have a clear vision of the process to follow when talking about developing a concept. Thank you for your videos and the simplicity behind them. I know there is a lot of work behind the scenes, but i bet it pays off!
How amazingly you explain it.. This is more than i have learned in the last 2 years…
I've learned too much but what do you mean by underlying narrative?
THANK YOU!
Art of war
i found this video is very helpful. Thanks for making it
0:20 nice ladder
I am a software engineer and I learnt a lot from this video. thanks
Can I do my internship with you?
Excellent Content!!! Thank You so much.
can you make videos about what classes u took in high school to become an architect
Thank you so much.. it's really helpful
Thanks for sharing! Glad i’ve found your channel, more power!
Based and chadpilled
If you are a client about to build a house, and need something specific rather than an off-the-shelf design, this series is a must. Understand the constraints of budget, materials, etc so you can be an informed partner in your house rather than a passive (and ultimately frustrated) bystander.
I've a unique design idea. Architects! contact with me. That gonna change the architechture trend
I am relearning architecture from you. Thank you
Thanks for being a lot of help to us .It pays off at the end.
What an intellectual guy he is with a clear and stark communication asset that every aspiring architect can relate to
What's the six-sided die he lays on table about one minute in?
I am science student and wanted to be architect .And the 1st thing I want to do is to change my village whole design and attract lots of tourist and increase employment for my villagers .
Good idea
I always view homes as a story, and I hope I can apply a concept to each of them to make them more unique.
im everywhere
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Asians at 11 watching this video like-
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Thank You MUCH " Design Workshop" for Your Highly Effective Videos. Much love from Cape Town.