DEFINITION One way in which architects can use intuition in the architectural design process is to allow for intuitive reactions to the design problem aid in defining the problem itself. The definition of the design problem can be done by documenting and internally analyzing emotional and natural responses to design problem specifics such as site or program. Successful architects, represented in the precedent matrix, that utilize this form of intuitive activity are Frank Lloyd Wright, Marlon Blackwell, and John Ronan. All of these individuals use intuitive reactions to site conditions to frame the design problem and seek inspiration from site related factors. Intuitively responding to such conditions forecast a more grounded design that meshes well with context.
ABSTRACTION Intuitive thinking can be utilized when examining abstract concepts in an architectural problem. Within the precedent matrix, architects such as Samuel Mockbee, Coleman Coker, and Antoine Predock have shown examples where producing abstract artifacts at the beginning of an architectural project allows them to explore intuitive and subconscious factors in the project. They use the artistic acts as a way to flesh out concepts and make explicit connections that were previously invisible. The physical artifacts produced become a vehicle for generating ideas in the architectural realm. The resulting architecture is often unconventional and the design often reflects a depth of understanding.
FIGURATION Architects can also rely on intuition while creating an architectural figure or form. Architects such as Frank Gehry and Erich Mendelsohn produce sketches very early in the design process that explore intuitive reactions to general project factors. These early, intuitive, sketches are gestural, expressive, and conceptual, yet they fully anticipate the forthcoming architectural form. The sketches become a vehicle for exploring figure and form in literal architectural expectation. The resulting architecture is often criticized for being artistic, sculptural, or frivolous; however, the resulting architecture encapsulates an initial emotional reaction and often provides innovative and unconventional structures for the built environment.
THEORY Another way in which architects can exercise intuitive thoughts in the architectural design process is to frame theories based on intuitions. The architects represented in the precedent matrix (Fujimoto, Chang, Zumthor, Holl) have intuitively created architectural theories in response to previous experiences with architectural situations. These successful architects now use a larger theory, concept, or idea about architecture as a framework for how they use intuition in design. Instead of making wild, ill-considered moves, they have a framework directing the architectural moves that come into the process intuitively.
DECISION-MAKING Architects can also rely on intuition in a very minimal way that only takes lead in situations where a quick decision or evaluation is needed. Architects such as Rafael Vinoly and Ken Yeang seem to use intuition in this minimal way. They utilize intuition as a decision making vice after a highly rational, strategy-based, design process has been adopted. When intuition plays such a role in the design process, conventional and contemporary buildings result, rather than innovative or forward-looking buildings, which might arrive from a process with more divergent thinking.