Architecture Short Course: How to Develop a Design Concept

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.

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STARTUP TOOLKIT:

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Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
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[ShayanGivehchian]

I've learned more from this video than I did from an entire semester of Arch School

[onetwoby]

In five years of architectural studies, none of my teachers explained an architectural concept as meticulously as you did in your remarkable video down to the nitty-gritty.
Appreciations!!!

[EricMartinonline]

So many architects are terrible at talking to non-architects about their projects and their processes. The clarity and plain language you use to explain complicated things is refreshing and powerful.

Thanks so much for sharing.

[popples]

I'm 11 but I already know that i'm going to be an architect when I'm older.
This realy helped thanks.

[BijanIzadi]

This was one of the best 20 minutes of architecturual education I have ever had

[sarahhunter]

I’m an interior architect and have not been practicing officially for a few years but I have several projects that have popped up and the serendipity of your video in my home page suggestions was super. A really clear, succinct summary of designing has refreshed my memory on my process really, really efficiently. I am ever so grateful.

[jasminpasia]

I rewatch this every now and then when I’m having trouble with my design and it helps me come up with something every time. Thanks a lot!

[rhyshodgson]

Whenever my mind is foggy and I’m overwhelmed in the midst of a project I find myself referring back to your content. Your not just a talented architect, but an amazing teacher. Each of your videos are so clear and concise and not long after visiting your channel, my foggy mind soon clears. Thankyou.

[EL]

Great content, I always enjoy hearing how other people work and their thinking process. As an architecture student this really is one of the most helpful channels out there. Keep up the great work!

[pentiumtrio]

to me, developing a concept is like writing a thesis book. You must know every detail of your project.

[Iman-mxkx]

I'm an architecture student and I'm so glad that I found your channel. Its the best architectural channels on Youtube ever and you helped me a lot. Great content as always

[TheDevilSmilesX]

I absolutely love the way you explain everything, you make more sense than my lecturers do at uni. We get thrown into the deep end and are expected to develop our own concepts, carry them out and present them when they never explained it to us in depth. You are saving my grades lmao.

[SoorajIsTheMan]

i think that this is the video that was required from a long time to understand the idea of concept in architectural design. I thank you for finally making something that we all architecture student can look up to when in dilemmas. :)

[Sabamonster]

I'm not an architect. Not even a student in architecture. I'm a disabled veteran and I only began studying architecture to become a better builder in certain building games (As that's what occupies most of my time nowadays). I've watched hours and hours of videos on this subject and I have to say that after finding your video I look at architecture as a whole in a completely different light. I had absolutely no idea going in that it was as deep as it is or how absolutely profound it can be. I most certainly have a newly formed respect for it in general and I don't see myself shying away from learning about it anytime soon. Thank you for this video even if I can't or won't ever use this in a professional setting it's been a revealing experience.

[adnanerg]

i learned in this video much more than what i learned in 4 years of study .
how you explain is just great .
THANK YOU SO MUCH .

[samanbhattarai]

What an intellectual guy he is with a clear and stark communication asset that every aspiring architect can relate to

[mariano.alvear]

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!

[ElusivEnigma]

I'm not even doing architecture and I still learned something new to apply to my art work. Thank you

[maxsturman]

Thank you. This video has reminded me how critical the process is and, most importantly, how to develop the design concept in a manner that clients, uneducated in Architecture, can better comprehend and invest in!

[abed]

if only i was found out this channel when i was freshman at school...