Concept Design: The Birth of New Methodologies

Many say that the most important phase of an architectural design is the concept formulation phase. Yet, many designers debate aspects related to architectural concept design – like what is the definition of a concept, what are the proper steps needed to achieve a concept, and what makes a concept design meaningful. While there are many ways in which to approach such topics, it becomes necessary to consider how concept design evolves.

As architectural technology advances, new architectural paradigms are born. Discoveries from other disciplines like neuroscience or nanotechnology play a role in shaping how designers visualize, design, and construct environments. For instance, as new findings in neuroscience shed light on how building occupants perceive, process, and respond to architecture – new methods arise that impact the design concept creation of that architecture.

Design Experimentation for Greater Personalization

Since architecture is becoming ever more adaptive, new strategies and methods are being developed to help designers formulate concepts that integrate new technologies, new scientific findings, and new design strategies. This is why, it is important to keep an experimentation mindset in play as you design each new project. While you may have a conceptual design process framework, there should be open windows of opportunity within the framework so you can explore design concept formulation in entirely new ways.

In this light, the future of concept design for architecture will require more real-time synchronization between building materials, technology, and nature. Design concepts that solve for a one-size-fits-all solution will likely involve into more personalized design concept formulations in the future. For instance, future design concepts will look into how occupants can transform as a result of experiencing the architectural design work. In other words, it may not be enough for a concept to only have one overarching meaning – it may also need to personally uplift the quality of life of each individual who experiences it in a different way.

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