What is architectural design?A360Architects

Architectural design is a discipline that focuses on meeting and fulfilling needs and requirements in order to create living spaces, using specific tools and, above all, creativity. So it is about combining the technical with the aesthetic, contrary to the common perception that architecture is only a technical task.

Likewise, it mixes design, understood as a creative process, with architecture, based on the creation and presentation of solutions on a technical level. By mixing the two disciplines, the architectural design seeks the values and formal qualities of works through spatial experiences. Generally, we associate it with drawings, sketches, or outlines of a project, and it is one of its fundamental bases. In this aspect of architectural design, other factors also play a role, related to geometry, space, or aesthetics, among others. Finally, architecture, and therefore architectural design, is composed of many elements and processes or phases.

In the design process, an architect must take into account that he must perform an analysis in order to design and build according to the needs and resources, always keeping in mind the aesthetic and technical characteristics, as well as the basic rules of construction. Therefore, the process capable of identifying all these variables must take into account that it is necessary to reflect the needs both artistically and technically on paper (or software). In this case, the lines are the main element of the architectural design that defines several aspects such as the shape, the dimension, and the positioning of the different spaces that integrate the project.

Types and examples of architectural designs

Architecture is naturally composed of a variety of specific disciplines. We can not limit ourselves only to the constructive part, but must also take into account other areas that contribute to creating a complete project. In general, the basis of architectural design is to know what the space will be used for, but the aesthetic aspects also play a role. This means that it is not easy to typify architectural design, as there are an infinite number of categories: We can classify architectural design by its use, its intention, by its aesthetics, its technical aspects, and so on.

The examples of architectural design could also be infinite for the same reason, adding that trends change frequently and respond to many other factors. In this case, we can talk about some trends in modern architecture and design that have influenced many architects and designers in creating their projects. If we consider design as a conceptual representation, we can see that this is reflected in some elements. For example, in constructions with diaphanous spaces, concrete geometric shapes, functional spaces or in a particular way of using volumes. To explain this concept and give examples, we can talk about biophilic design, for example. What is it exactly? It is a building trend that brings architecture and nature together and incorporates natural elements in the construction of buildings. The goal is to break away from urban areas by incorporating natural aspects into the buildings themselves. Thus, the example of biophilic design shows three main points: the connection with nature through sensory stimuli, the evocation of the presence of nature through the imitation of forms, or the construction of spaces that give a sense of tranquility and rest.

In some places, this type of architectural design has already been realized, such as the Royal Children's Hospital in Australia or High Line Park in New York. These are two clear examples of the design of biophilic architecture that not only serves the goal of tranquility or disconnection from the urban environment but in certain cases also helps to improve the health of patients (in the hospital) or lower the temperature (in the case of the park in New York). As with this example, one could also refer to other types of design, such as minimalist, modernist, Victorian, classical, avant-garde, or American, among many others.

For this reason, the architectural design is an essential basis for the final architectural construction, considering different factors of usability of spaces, not understood in a technical way, but also bringing the creative aspect to the process.