1. Pre- Design phase (Background Research and Programming)
The objective is to identify the problems and understand the context. These problems are generally
related to social, cultural and environmental issues. Students choose their design topics based on
concerns arising from these issues. They research about their topics, gather information, conduct
precedent studies and have thorough details about the topic chosen or given to them.
- Selection : Choosing a relevant site for the project and carrying out site
analysis with great deal of attention to
climate, its local, social and cultural context. Studying the morphology or
surrounding existing
architectural language that acts as a precursor in design.
- Analysis : Surveys, documentation, photographs, measurements, study of existing
conditions, mapping ,
interviews conducted with relevant people allow students to formulate a background
for their
proposals. This provokes them to develop innovative design solutions and propose
alternative methods
for creative problem solving.
- Studies : Identifying and investigating specific case studies that help
students to analyze the spatial relations with
functions, circulation, materials and construction technologies and the intent of
design similar to the
one which they are about to create . It helps them to conceive the design better and
understand what
works and what doesn’t work in design. It is also important to study unsuccessful
projects to understand
the failures.
- Program and design brief formulation : Based on background research and case studies
students work out a design brief and program
requirements for the project. A certain component of program is fixed for the entire
class and remaining
component is flexible which can be designed by individual students as per his / her
analysis. This whole
process allows students to develop solutions to the problems they can identify and
relate easily to.
Hence brief making is initiated in early years so that students are adept at it when
doing their
dissertation.
2. Schematic Design phase
In this phase, students do a series of rough sketches/drawings that illustrate the basic concepts of the
design. Based on their site analysis with special attention to climate and environment, students zone out
their spatial requirements on site.
- Model Making Model making process is introduced at this stage where students develop their initial
ideas through various process models and focus on the form without compromising on function.
3. Design Development phase
Design development phase collects the results from the schematic design phase and takes them one
step further. This phase involves articulating and refining the spaces. At the end of this phase students
finalize the design and specify items such as materials, window and door locations and general structural
details.
- Application of Sustainable Strategies After finalizing their designs, students explore and devise various
sustainable strategies that can be implemented in their design to make the architecture sustainable.
- Integrating building services and construction technologies Understanding building requirements and
applying integrated services to their design. Use of appropriate construction technologies and resolving
the design structurally concludes their design development stage.
4. Preparing and submitting Presentation drawings
This is the final stage towards the end of semester when students explore different media to present
their drawings and models. ‘Design as a process’ is complete and culminated into ‘Design as a product’.
This is pinned up, an interactive session with external jurors takes place and learning continues.