6 minute read
WALKING CONCEPTS
by IN DUE TIME
WHAT ARE CONCEPTS? HOW TO CONCEPT ...
“Concepts differentiate architecture from mere building… a bicycle shed with a concept is architecture; a cathedral without one is just a building”
– Bernard Tschumi
Concept, concept, concept
If you were anything like me in my first semester, you would have heard about developing a concept but never having a clear vision of what it actually is.
An idea? A fact? An abstraction?
Well, what if I said creating a concept, Is the foundation to a successful and meaningful project! Ultimately we will need to understand what a concept is, why it is important, and how we can develop one
So what is a concept? Well a concept is the essence of your design, your idea or philosophy, overall it gives your design direction It s your entire project distilled into a single idea which directs your design choices.
So, why is a concept significant in the design process? Consider this: effective design solutions aren't only visually appealing; they're also driven by core ideas Architecture is embedded in the DNA of a building, an integrated philosophy that permeates the entire structure. It adds depth to the design making the structure consistent, relevant, and fascinating, and therefore successful. A well crafted concept can encapsulate an identity that carries the desired message to its surroundings.
Now how can we come up with a concept?
Site Analysis, 1.
Analysing the project's surrounding site is a significant and important endeavour. We must first evaluate the context before introducing a new member to the ecosystem. Thorough research and awareness of the environment can have a significant impact on architectural style, building material selection, and site layout site analysis is crucial, primarily because architecture is imposed on society and is a punitive field. It forces the user into total immersion as a result, it is a massive responsibility. Context and concept are two components that when managed correctly can provide solutions for developing a one of-a-kind building with significance. Buildings will not exist in a void, they are part of a larger social fabric intended to inspire encourage or accommodate a variety of human behaviours “ as an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown” (-Norman Foster) hence the heavy emphasis on analysing your sites context and its possibility to influence your concept
2 Design Brief
The design brief is a tool of limitations and necessities within a project (can include the building typology that can also be explored to inspire concept), and these can very well inspire the concept if delved into
These design briefs help us to design a space to accommodate a specific program, experience, or intent
In order to identify the nature of the activities that will take place, thoroughly analyse the program requirements Design an architecture that accommodates and enhances actual scenarios or experiences that will occur in those locations
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDANCE 'UNNECESSARY SUFFERING' SERIES
“Concepts differentiate architecture from mere building a bicycle shed with a concept is architecture; a cathedral without one is just a building” –
Bernard Tschumi
For instance, The Jewish Museum in Berlin, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind is a Jewish-German experience It uses an architectural journey to illustrate the many stages of the Holocaust atrocities, the museum represents a horrifying yet genuine experience As a result the museum functions in many respects as a political/nostalgic screen that tells the story of Jews in Germany After walking through the underground passage is one example of the architecture influencing emotions through its concept The first option for visitors here is a dark-end axis going to the Holocaust tower JM Berlin describes this tower as tall and dismal with grey walls and a weak light shining from above it is confined unheated and eerily quiet The Holocaust Tower's silent experience dehumanises you, making you feel alone Overall this museum uses the architectural excellence of voids, axes, light and scale to communicate an emotional response in an architectural scale, to serve and contribute to the experience of viewing the historical artifacts within. The Jewish Museum in Berlin is less of a museum but rather an experience depicting what most cannot understand
Finally, do not be afraid to take inspiration from other projects or design, look further into these projects and understand where the main concept took the design to As famous French director, Jean-Luc Godard said, “it’s not where you take things from, it’s where take them to ”
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDANCE 'UNNECESSARY SUFFERING' SERIES
Check list of things to do, to INSPIRE ideas!
Sketch out your ideas: your pen will continue to move once it has hit the paper.
Read books on ideas you find intriguing: remember books have been holding information for thousands of years and consists of an amazing number of things that you cannot find on websites
Design your ideas by experimenting with concept models: this can be done to explore materiality, form, integration etc
Research precedents thoroughly: the more you understand, the more you have to explore in your concept
Discuss your ideas out loud, and maybe even to someone who you can bounce ideas off
Create a tree like diagram of ideas and intersecting themes
Use a bubble diagram to decipher the brief and the relationship between programs and how they need to be considered next to each other
Explore your site, are there any main features that may determine the way you view your project.
Talk to your tutor, they have plenty of experience and knowledge about topics and ideas you may want to explore in your project, they also have a great radar as to if a certain idea will enhance the project
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDANCE 'UNNECESSARY SUFFERING' SERIES
Below is one of my second-year projects, designing a homeless women ’s shelter. For this project specifically, the design brief and the clients, were the main driver of the concepts in which we further encapsulated into design principles for the project as labeled in this section perspective. The design brief included providing homes that are safe and comfortable providing a platform for the women to rebuild their lives. It is to consists of medium density housing in Hobart, with 10 two-bedroom units. The accommodation must be suitable to the Tasmanian climate, and we needed to consider how they can be used on the given site, and elsewhere in Hobart. Themes explored included safety privacy empowerment flexibility family, dignity, accessibility and sustainability, and most of all, how to create a place to call home
Everyone discovers a concept in a unique way, whether through sketching, reading, or creating. This is ideal as otherwise we may all be working on the same project for the same brief. That's the beauty of creating a concept, it's unique to you (especially at university) and enables you to express what you find particularly intriguing or significant in a project. Remember that the concept is the backbone of a project; it is what you can always return to when deciding on a design move. Make sure the idea you choose to investigate for the semester is strong; you don't want to reconsider your decision halfway through. Some of the better projects I've seen have stayed faithful to the concept committed to (once approved) revealing a more strategic and cohesive design
In due time,
Amira Chahrouk
@thehistoricalmuseum
