Design Research

Assignment 1;
Essay: PROJECT OUTLINE Before starting a design project many designers will engage in a sort of pre-design process; a research phase. Site considerations, client needs, municipal by-laws, code requirements, and architectural precedent research form the bulk of this phase of work where the ‘constraints’ of a project are laid out and made clear. As you begin your thinking about what the possibilities may be for this project you will engage in a precedent research phase and complete a short illustrated essay that summarizes your research in materials, geometry, and structural details.
You will pick three small-scale projects – pavilions, bus shelters, very small private or public buildings, band stands etc. At least one of these projects needs to be constructed in a climate similar to our own, and all three projects must be built (ie no concept/un-built projects). You will research and discuss the following topics for each precedent, and then summarize your interest in the precedents generally with respect to your own design work.
Materials: Describe the major materials used in the project, and identify their suitability for use. How are they being used – as structural elements, roofing, cladding, etc? What makes the material appropriate for that specific use, what inherent characteristics does the material have that make it well suited for how the designer or architect chose to use it. What processes does the material have to undergo to make it work in that application (eg staining, electroplating or galvanizing, thermal treatments etc).
Geometry: Describe and discuss the geometry of the project as it relates to the buildings function, the site or climate, the structure and materiality of the project. Briefly discuss what the conceptual ideas evident in the geometry of the building. Does its form and materiality work together to create a unique but clear set of design intentions?
Structural system/details: Based on and along with your discussions of materials and form, describe any important structural details. Try to explain how the building uses its geometry and materials to resist the forces that would act on the building: wind, gravity (the buildings own weight for example), snow and rain etc. Describe and illustrate any unique or interesting structural details that the building uses – whether they are based on vernacular typologies, contemporary technology or hardware, or simple material character.
Summary and project statement: Describe which elements of the projects you feel could inspire or inform your own design and explain why. This is a useful starting point for the discussions with your group for the next project. You will be required to supply the paper in a pdf format – submitted online by the due date listed: Deliverables – 500 word minimum word count, with a 6 page maximum inclusive of support imagery.
**YOU MUST PROPERLY REFERENCE YOUR WORK USING MLA OR EQUIVALENT CITATIONS & BIBLIOGRAPHY**

Last Completed Projects