Architectural Design Process: Conceptual Analysis to Concept Types

A comprehensive vocabulary review set covering architectural design theory, conceptual analysis, the design-by-objective framework, innovation models, and the five main types of architectural concepts.

Conceptual Analysis

The initial stage of architectural design where the designer explores the project's purpose, context, and requirements to understand the problem and gather evidence for every decision.

Design Concept

The one unifying big idea that shapes the whole design, expressed through words, diagrams, and a short tagline.

Design by Objective

The phase of the design process focused on making the concept real by turning it into clear objectives, developing strategies, and applying them to drawings, models, and technical choices.

Project Goal Formula

The standardized structure for framing a project goal: "To [create/propose/establish] [design solution] that [addresses client needs] by [specific focus]."

Context Analysis

A research task where the designer analyzes or imagines likely environmental conditions (such as sun, wind, climate, and surroundings) when no site is assigned.

User Research

An investigation within conceptual analysis to determine who will use the project, what activities they will perform, and what needs they have.

Precedents

Similar existing projects researched during conceptual analysis to evaluate what works and what does not work.

Materials & Technology Feasibility

An assessment to determine whether proposed building materials and technological solutions are feasible for the project's scale, climate, and budget.

Project Objectives (Conceptual Analysis)

Specific targets that break down the overall project goal to ensure all requirements are addressed without adding features that lack a link to an objective.

Design Philosophy

An architect's stance on what architecture should achieve, aligning personal values with specific project needs.

Concept Statement

A concise $1\text{ to }2$ sentence statement explaining the core architectural concept.

Concept Diagram

A simple visual graphic showing the architectural core idea in action.

Concept Tagline

A memorable $5\text{ to }7$ word phrase that captures the core concept so that anyone can easily remember it.

Testing the Concept

The evaluative process of determining whether a concept addresses all project objectives, solves the real problem, and adapts if conditions change.

Design Objectives (Design by Objective)

Specific, measurable targets linked to the brief that answer: "What will this design achieve?"

Design Strategies

Diagrams, sketches, or short written descriptions that answer: "How will this design achieve each objective?"

Project Design Objectives (PO)

Client objectives aligned with the mission and vision of the client that are not necessarily architectural.

Design Concept Objectives

Architectural objectives that answer the Project Objectives (PO) based on the chosen Design Concept.

Theory (Innovation Framework)

The component of the Innovation Framework defined as "a new way of seeing."

Process (Innovation Framework)

The component of the Innovation Framework defined as "a new way of using."

Technology (Innovation Framework)

The component of the Innovation Framework defined as "a new way of building."

Form (Innovation Framework)

The component of the Innovation Framework defined as "a new way of composing."

Architectural Concept (Formal Definition)

A foundational idea described formally as an idea, notion, opinion, abstraction, philosophy, belief, inspiration, thought, intention, theory, image, or hypothesis.

Analogy (Concept Type)

The most frequently used concept type, which identifies possible, literal relationships between things so that a source becomes a model for the target project.

Direct Analogy

A specific form of analogy in which one existing building provides an appropriate literal image for another project.

Sources of Analogy

The origins from which analogies are drawn, categorized as Nature (plants, animal, or human) and Manmade (machine, structure, geometry, or context).

Metaphor (Concept Type)

A concept type that identifies abstract patterns of parallel relationships between source and target, frequently using the words "like" or "as."

Essences (Concept Type)

A concept type that looks beyond programmatic needs to concentrate complex issues into bold, explicit statements, identifying the critical roots of an issue.

Problem Solving (Direct Response)

A concept type developed around pragmatic functional requirements explicitly identified in the building program.

Ideals (Concept Type)

Concepts brought to the problem by the architect that represent the designer's highest personal aspirations, values, and goals.