EVOLUTION OF CONCEPTS IN

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS

Every project is unique: a site and a

circumstance, a culture, a climate, a
program. You need a concept to hold
the manifold pieces together-

NIKILA SHRI.S.V
10AR38

INTRODUCTION

Concept is the initial idea that drives a design. It is

not an invention, but arises from observations and
beliefs, those that are being encountered in daily
life. No two buildings are similarthe concepts
behind every piece of architecture is different based
on the project, client and the architect.

An architect communicates with people through

his works, by using a particular language that
uses shapes, dimensions, colors and textures to
express the idea and stimulate responses in
humans.

What makes a building different from another?

How does an architect perceive a design problem?
What influences the architect to take up a particular
concept?

A building must have a strong

idea that is architectural rather
than sculptural or painterly-one
that is related to the activity in
the building- Edward Larrabee
Barnes

Real artists copy, great artists stealPablo Picasso

Architecture is a visual art

and the buildings speak for
themselves-Julia Morgan

There is an essential oneness

about every job. In the best
solutions there is a strong central
idea involving activity. It may be
static or mobile, but it has to do
with the human being in spaceEdward Larrabee Barnes :

DEFINITIONS
Concepts may be described as abstract ideas that allow
one to make connections and recognize relationships
between thoughts ,observations, beliefs, context, and
integrate them as a whole.

Notions, ideas, concept and conceptual

scenario
NOTIONS:
Initial step in resolving problem

Random idea generation

Irrelevant

Absurd

notional

IDEAS:
Thoughts as a result of understanding and observation . As the
architect proceeds from the initial stage, he develops a greater
understanding of the project and identifies some notions as more
appropriate.

Theory
Belief
Intention
Thought

CONCEPTS:
Similar to ideas, a concept can be a thought arising as a result of
understating but it also takes the effort in integrating various
elements like project requirements, context, etc and grouping
ideas together in the form of simple diagrams or few words.

CONCEPT SCENARIO:
A concept scenario combines all applicable concepts as a whole.
It includes all the issues and problems left out by the brief concept
statement and also includes the factors influenced by the
architects.

It is also developed from self-criticism

HIERARCHIES

Increasing
complexity,
Appropriateness,
depth of thought

TYPES OF CONCEPT
ANALOGIES:
Analogy is defined as correspondence in some respects especially in
function or position between things, otherwise dissimilar.
Identifies literal relationships between things-comparison of a
whole object and a design problem.
Easy to compare with known objects to generate new ideas

A blooming lotus that has its

leaves surrounding it. it appears
to be floating in water.

Poultry inspired office building-egg

shaped cybertecture building conce

METAPHOR:
Identifies abstract relationship between things.
Parallel relationships but analogies identify possible literal relationships
Creating the spirit of the thing in the design

Turning torso by
santiago calatrava

ESSENCE:
Making the intangible tangible.
Taking out the extract of complex issues by identifying its roots and
placing them in design.
Robert Harris The full process includes observing supportive places,
learning from them what characteristics and structuring relationships
are present, inspecting the potential transcendence of those
characteristics as possibly common to other intangibly and profoundly
satisfying places as well, and seeding the findings into the new places
we may build
Symbols are subsets of essence
category.
They make the public
understand by capturing the
essence in forms.
They are images that evoke
immediate response, usually
visual

PROGRAMMATIC/PROBLEM SOLVING:
Concepts that are developed based on issues identified in the design
program.

The hymenocallis desert flower shape.

Reduces wind forces on building
most amount of natural light into the
interior of the building.
maximum view of the Persian Gulf

IDEALS:
Here, the architect, instead of looking inside the design problem, brings
ideal concepts from outside.
This may be appropriate or not.
It makes the task of architects easier to develop ideals as concepts
which helps in the design development
They are external values brought by the architect
They are not problem specific but issue specific

Honest expression of materials in

residential village by architect
christopher charles benninger

Hierarchy of concepts

Super-organizing
ideas/themes
Analogies
Metaphor

Issue or an aspect of
performance

F.L.Wright uses geometry as

main organizational theme in
his building- falling waters

Based on a small elementcirculation pattern-Jewish

museum by Libeskind

Concept in Design Process

In concept design, plan form, volumetric, architectureand overall

shape of the building is set captured in essence. Theconcept
encapsulates the spirit, form, aesthetics and technical principles
of the overall project within its urban context

Ways to approach a design problem

Implicit approach:

Design is acreative
process
It is inhibited by the
application of too much
logic.
it is mysterious and springs
from the depths of the
designer's subconscious.

Explicit approach:

Design is only valid so far as it

addresses the problems
underlying the process.
Here, the designer understands,
in a fully conscious way, the
human problems to be solved by
the design and then starts
sketching.
The level of understanding on
which they are based grows
from careful analysis.

EXPLICIT APPROACH

Detailed
program
Client-needs
and objectives,
size, function
Relationship
between space,
character

Gathering and
analyzing
information
Site analysis
Rough plans in
site
Finding
alternatives

Concept
sketches,
illustrations,
models
Construction
scope, budget,
schedule
Presenting to
owner to finalize
based on
agreement

Basic conceptual
sketches,
brainstorming
ideas
General layout
Form overall
appearance of
both site and
building
Designing
feature elementsstairs, furniture,
etc

CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE

Mid to late 20th,21st century
Contemporary Architecture is not simply anti-vernacular
but also architecture that can have a number of influences
but still tries to be visionary, risky and uses new materials
in an innovative way. Contemporary Architects attempt to
push at the boundaries of materials and technology, and,
especially in recent decades, geometry- NORMAN FOSTER.
The focus of the topic is on public buildings. Public buildings
are those that are owned by the state/region and accessed
by all people such as libraries, museums, monuments, etc
Design of a public building involves understanding of
peoples perception, their behavior and their responses to
stimuli. It will be interesting to study how a concept caters
to the public.

Interesting Concepts

Times square
building, NY by
Arquitectonica. The
building is designed
to look like an
exploding meteor.

The pompidou centre by

rogers +piano. The building
becomes a true expression of
its purpose.

The Jewish Museum is conceived as an emblem in which the Invisible and

the Visible are the structural features which have been gathered in this
space of Berlin and laid bare in an architecture where the unnamed
remains the name which keeps still. Daniel Libeskind

Aim

To underline the importance of concept in architectural

design process by studying about factors playing a crucial
role in generating concepts.

Objective

To understand the role played by physical, visual,

social and other factors in generating a concept.

To define the different dimensions of concept design.

To see through the transformation of a design

concept from context to final design.

Scope:
Concepts are the initial ideas to carry out a design.

Learning about concepts and their underlying factors gives

a clear picture of how to transform an idea into a
meaningful design that addresses various issues in design
problem

Limitations:
There are numerous prevailing concepts behind famous

buildings starting from early stages of history till date but

this topic focuses only on contemporary public buildings.

METHODOLOGY
Stage-1:
Introduction
Definitions of notions, ideas, concepts &concept scenarios
Types of concept
Ways to approach a concept in design process
Concept examples

Stage-2:
Literature case studies of contemporary public buildings across all
regions from mid-late 20th to 21st century till date
Analysis of evolution of concepts behind each building by
understanding factors influencing the design problem

Stage-3:
Live case studies in India. Analysis of buildings based on
comparison between live and literature case studies.
Comparison based on architectural theories
Peoples perception of each building

Stage-4:
Identifying the factors involved in concept development
based on analysis of case studies.
Importance of concept by highlighting its part played in
building design.
Conclusion

Evolution Of Concepts In Architectural Design

Process

DISSERTATION STAGE- II

S.V.NIKILA SHRI
10AR38

ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENTS
Architects use buildings as tools for communicating their concepts.
The quality of communication is determined by how elegantly it is
expressed which becomes the basis for public criticism and collective
evaluation of the building.
Each building requires a number of communicating elements to express
a total image.

MODES OF PERCEPTION
Visual -form-light directions, colors
Sensations-form & texture
Temperature
Humidity
Touch
sound

SOURCE of Architectural statements

The first design issue is to select the most effective substance of
the architectural expression

Intended meanings?forms/images related

to these meanings.
Relative importance
of the meanings.
Logical order of
building construction.

Types -ANALOGY

Location-Wisconsin, USA
Architect Santiago
Calatrava
Year completed-2001

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM - Quadracci pavillion

Design problem

To set a strong architectural statement at the waterfront ,to be added

to the existing Milwaukee art museum designed by Earo Saarinen .
A style that complemented Earo Saarinens design.
Exhibition galleries, museum store and auditorium.

WAR MEMORIAL CENTER

LAKE MICHIGAN

QUADRACCI PAVILION

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

SITE PLAN

THE ARCHITECT-Santiago Calatrava

Movement
Inspired by nature
DYNAMISM
Moving structures in nature..
HUMAN figures
Motion of birds, human
body...waves
Bone and skeletal system
WHITE color in structures

CONCEPT
To design a glowing lantern radiating
light in all directions.
Glass- enclosed reception hall
Boat -like prow facing the Lake
Huge, wing-like sunscreen

Bird wings

Nature as
inspiration

DYNAMISM
As we approach the
pavilion through the
cabled pedestrian
bridge, the bird-like
form appears to fly
above the water.

MAJESTIC

Cable-stayed pedestrian
bridge
Brise Soleil

231 feet
waves
The long linear cabled bridge connecting to the pavilion creates
focus

Ship like detailing and

design at southern terrace
providing a view of the
lake in the front.

An enormous
sun-screen
that can be
controlled to
admit or avoid
natural light .

Organic forms + technological innovation

Birds wings as brise soleil that tends to
close and open when required.

Chinese
ceramics
bowl

Birds nest
BIRDS NEST OLYMPIC STADIUM

Interwoven twigs

Location-Beijing,China
Architect Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron
Year completed-2008
IMPACT
The same stadium portrays a
different image during night as a
beacon of light , it lures people.
it suggests tension beneath the
surface, the steel frames trying
to hold the structure like rubber
bands.

PROBLEM SOLVING
PROBLEM IDENTIFIED
Climate- Extreme cold , warm summer temperatures in Scandinavia.
Winters are cold; temperatures hover below freezing and snow
blankets the city.The available light in winter has to be used efficiently.
CONCEPT
LIGHT- Light is an important
factor for an art gallery
Gallery
Office

Fritted glass

Three different
buildings under one
unique glass roof
Canal

SITE PLAN

Leisure Park

Astrup Fearnley
Museum
Location Oslo,Scandinavia
Architect Renzo Piano
Year completed-2012

CONCEPT-Light
Sweeping frittedglazed
curved roof

CONCEPTUAL SKETCH

Bridge over
canal

Interaction at
various levels

Glazed roof allowing

natural light which gets
diffused

BRIGHT COLORED
TIMBER
Timber for the facades and
interiors like in

traditional
Scandinavianconstructi
on of local buildings
and boats. The bright
colour reflects
sunlight

VIBRANT
ENVIRONMENT
The integration of Art
related activities in all
three buildings and the
mix with offices and
leisure activities, makes
the complex a vibrant
part of the new urban
fabric that attracts a
very broad public.

IDEALS

Suzlon Headquarters
Location-Pune, India
Architect Christopher
Charles Beninger
Year completed-2009

DESIGN PROBLEM
To create the greenest office in India.
Use of non-toxic and recycled materials.
To use vernacular solutions with sensitivity to climate
A land scraper, not a skyscraper

Balance with tradition

Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

Meenakshi temple complex, Madurai

Sacred spaces --Water bodies--Open courtyards

Bramhasthan
open to sky

E
V
O
L
U
T
I
O
N

Water body to
the east

Nodes and Vistas

-focus

Water body

Nodes
Open & built-up spacesbalanced

CONCEPT-Interplay of open
& closed spaces

Built-up & connecting spaces

Balance with change

Work stations with daylight and
external views-interaction with
nature outside
Motifs(cylinders, water bodies.
Deepasthum, gardens)
Components that tie all these
together.

Balance with nature

People close to nature
Everyone can sense the seasons
and time of the day from their
work place

Inter-locking spaces
Integrating spaces

The Deep sthamb or

oblix, reaching out to
the sky as a symbol of
excellence and hope

Visual connector

View of waterbody
from work place
Cylinders of light

ESSENCE

Design Problem
Propose an extension to
Berlin museum for Jewish
collection

HIstory
Elimination of the Jewish
culture due to the
Holocaust.

JEWISH MUSEUM
Location-Berlin, Germany
Architect Daniel Libeskind
Year completed-

INITIAL CONCEPTUALIZATION

Preliminary layout-sketch

Trajectories of Berlin
Star of David

Criss-crossing Jewish and German

history lines

Tracing Jewish presence in Berlin

Sky

Star evolving into Zig-zag

Combination of the invisibility of the

jews and the history lines of Jews
and German

System
of void
spaces

Garden of exile

Separate void
building

VOiDS-Invsisibility of Jews

ABSENCE OF JEWS IN BERLIN

Dialogue between the past and

the present

24 meters high holocaust

tower
Lit by a single narrow slit
high above the ground
Bare and empty
Symbolizing tribute paid to
the numerous Jewish victims
of mass murder

SOCIAL IMAGERY OF THE BUILDING TYPE

Symbolism of the building type
within its context.
Each type is symbolic of its
function in the society and has a
traditional place in the context of
that society.

Three sails symbolise the Holy

trinity and the highest sail wants to
represent gods protection over the
christian community.

Church of the year 2000 by

Richard Meier

METAPHOR

GALAXY SOHO
Location-Beijing, China
Architect Zaha Hadid
Year completed-2012

Retail stores, offices and

entertainment facilities

Four large domes that are connected using largebridgesand

platforms that, all mixed together, give the impression of a fluid and
natural environment.
The inspiration was clearly drawn from natural forms, such as dunes
andriversand even canyons represented by numerous
publiccourtyardsand a large central open space.

Nari Gandhi

THE ARCHITECTS INDIVIDUAL STYLE

The reality of architecture is not

contained in the roof and walls,
but in the space within. It is the
space that is.

Organic
architecture
Unconventional
thinking
Use of stone,
brick, wood, glass
and leather.
Arches
Indoor gardens

The movement of light, the flow of

breeze, the gradations of earthand
the expanse of sky were his building
materials

Tejani 'Metro Shoes' Bungalow,

APPROACHES

TYPES

Concepts affecting usability

Site & neighborhood
WALKIE TALKIE TOWER
Concave structure and glass faade reflects
intensified heat(69.8C) onto nearby buildings,
streets and roads.

While buildings may feature an energy

efficient facade that successfully blocks
solar heat gain, it could possibly affect the
environment of neighbouring buildings if
the facade is too reflective.

Material
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
Frank Gehrys Walt Disney
Concert Hall in Los Angeles also
created extreme exterior
reflectance.
Highly polished panels that
amplified the sunlight onto
adjacent building facades.

Form/ structure

Strata centre
Sliding ice and snow from the
buildings window boxes and other
projecting roof areas, blocking
emergency exits and damaging
other building elements.

Palau de les Arts Reina Safia opera

house- Santiago Calatrava
Parts of the opera house roof at City
of Arts and Sciences complex
arefallingoff just eight years after
completion.

The architects original

builders have made several
attempts to fix the roof so it
doesnt let in water, and now
the owner wants to hire a new
architect to design a
Ysios Winery- Santiago Calatrava
replacement for the curvy
roof.

Evolution Of Concepts In Architectural Design

Process

DISSERTATION STAGE- III

S.V.NIKILA SHRI
10AR38

Live Case studies

Care college, Trichy
Centre for Development Studies and
Activities-CDSA, Pune
Lotus temple-Fariborz Sahba
Isha yoga, 30 Kms from Coimbatore

LOCATION

C.A.R.E College, Trichy

Farm land
Lake

Artificial Pond

C.A.R.E campus

The emphasis on the inner most

shrine is symbolized by a water
body -natural peace
Creates a centre/focus
To create a transition from outer
spaces to inner calm spaces

CONCEPT

Layering of
spaces
Sacred Inner
Spaces

Outer Public
Spaces

N
THE DEITY
The emphasis on the inner
most shrine is symbolized by a
water body -natural peace
Creates a centre/focus
To create a transition from
outer spaces to inner calm
spaces

Existing lake
Artificial water body

Entrance points from which

lake view and vistas are
seen

Entrance points

FLOOR PLAN

ELEVATION

Wide courtyards with

seating stones for
relaxation.
View of the other endvisually connected
HIERARCHY- The height of the blocks decrease
gradually as we near the water pond to
facilitate view from periphery.

Lab

Classroom

Courtyard

Workshop

Water plaza

Dining areas face the lake side

View of the water pond, which

acts as the central element that
attracts the surrounding spaces.
it acts as a central gathering
space overlooking the lake view

Integration of nature into built

forms

Use of light to modulate spaces

LOCATION

Centre for Development Studies and Activities Pune

The site lies on Pune Pashan

highways
A contoured site
Fairly Barren land

CONCEPT
Staggered
plan by
juxtaposing
rectangular
built and
open spaces

FLOOR PLAN
Institutional
zone

Residential
zone

8
9

5
3

9
8

5
8

Entrance

Sensitivity to nature
The architect has explored new patterns by playing
and juxta-positioning of parallel walls.
A system of outdoor courtyards and built spaces
cluster around the central podium.

Responsive to climate
The use of Hipped roofs to tackle
strong westerly monsoon winds.

30

SECTION

45

Westerly
monsoon

ELEMENTS

Use of natural stones

Exposed grey finish
Earthy colors
Blend with nature
Pathways defined by
courtyards, open and
built spaces.

Shaded windows

Water sprouts to
drain water

COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS
C.A.R.E COLLEGE

CDSA, PUNE

TYPE

Educational
Institution

Educational
Institution

YEAR

2009

2000

LOCATION

Thayanur
village,Trichy

Pune

SITE Physical
features

Existing Lake,
surrounded by
farmlands

Barren land with

contours

ARCHITECT

Sanjay Mohe

Christopher Charles
Benninger

STYLE

Modern

Vernacular

AR.SANJAY MOHE
An American-Indian architect and
planner born in the United States in
1942. His firm Christopher Charles
Benninger Architects (CCBA) chooses
very few projects. Other than India, its
works range from Sri Lanka to Bhutan.

DESIGN APPROACH
Responding to climate
Integrating nature into the built form
Using light to modulate spaces
Design from inside-out, rather than outside-in
Transition from outdoors to indoors by using
semi-covered and open spaces
Believes in simplicity

INSPIRATION
Tadao Ando
Richard Meier
B.V.Doshi, Charles Correa for building
in tropical climate

Concept evolution in architectural design process

AR.CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
BENNINGER
An American-Indian architect and
planner born in the United States in
1942. His firm Christopher Charles
Benninger Architects (CCBA) chooses
very few projects. Other than India, its
works range from Sri Lanka to Bhutan.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Expansive campuses reveal an understanding of
Indian place making reflecting the great temple
complexes and the Mogul campuses.
His narrative presents a language that lies between
American ideals embedded in its wooded Arcadian
landscapes and sacred notions enshrined within
Indian courtyards, generating a unique approach
to architecture and place making.
His work in India is characterized by

Brick and stone bearing walls,

Exposed concrete work and
Glass panels.
Concept evolution in architectural design process

C.A.R.E COLLEGE

CDSA, PUNE

INITIAL CONCEPT

Use of Metaphorcomparing to South

Indian temples like
Srirangam temple,
Trichy

Use of Idealsclustering of spaces

around a podium in a
staggered manner

EVOLUTION

Utilising the existing

lake view

Utilising the existing

contours by creating
levels

HOW IT IS
APPROACHED

MATERIALS

C.A.R.E COLLEGE

CDSA, PUNE

Planning layoutlayering of spaces,

interesting play of
open spaces,
courtyards
-experiencing spacesviews, vistas, sounds,
breeze

From planning till

small architectural
elements in detail

Horizontal and
vertical planes
defining courtyards,
transition from
classroom to corridors
by blurring
boundaries

Water sprouts, brass

pots, sculptures,
water Kund, tile roof

White color finish,

black granite flooring

Basalt Stone walls ,

kota stone flooring,
exposed concrete
beams

Concept evolution in architectural design process

LOCATION

Lotus temple, New Delhi

CONCEPT
A concept that would be acceptable to the
people of all different backgrounds

ANALOGY TO LOTUS FLOWER

-sacred form
-brahma, buddha sprang from it
-islamic architecture- Taj Mahal

ARCHITECT- Fariborz
Sahba
Mr. Fariborz Sahba, had travelled
extensively in India to study the
architecture of this land and was
impressed by the design of the
beautiful temples, as well as by
the art and religious symbols
wherein the lotus invariably
played an important role.
He was influenced by this
experience, and in an attempt to
bring out the concept of purity,
simplicity and freshness of the
Bah Faith, he conceived the
Temple in Delhi in the form of a
lotus. The temple gives the
impression of a half-open lotus
flower, afloat, surrounded by its
leaves.

The whole superstructure is designed

to function as a skylight. The interior
dome is composed from intersection
of nine spheres and patterned after
the innermost portion of the lotus
flower. The interior dome, therefore,
is like a bud consisting of 27 petals,
and light filters through these inner
folds and is diffused throughout the
hall. Nine open petals, each of which
functions as a skylight, surround the
central hall and nine entrance petals
complete the design.

The lotus, as seen from outside, has three sets of leaves or petals, all of
which are made out of thin concrete shells. The outermost set of nine petals,
called the 'entrance leaves', open outwards and form the nine entrances all
around the outer annular hall. The next set of nine petals, called the 'outer
leaves', point inwards. The entrance and outer leaves together cover the
outer hall. The third set of nine petals, called the 'inner leaves', appear to be
partly closed. Only the tips open out, somewhat like a partly opened bud. This
portion, which rises above the rest, forms the main structure housing the
central hall.

LOCATION

Dhyanalingam,Isha yoga centre,Coimbatore

Isha Yoga Centeris an

ashramnear the city
ofCoimbatoreinTamil
Nadu,southern India.
The ashram was founded
by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
two decades ago and is
administered by the Isha
Foundation

. It is located on 150 acres of lush land at the foothills of

the Velliangiri Mountains.
Surrounded by thick forests and situated right next to the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the ashram is the site of the
Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple and the Linga Bhairavi Temple
and hosts several yoga programs every month.

Dhyanalingam

CONCEPT
sound

In ancient temples, the structure that houses the Deity is as important as the Deity
itself. Theparikramaor the walkway of the temple, thegarbhagrihaor the
innermost shrine of the temple, the shape and the size of the idol, themudraheld
by the idol and themantra(sound) used for the consecration of the temple are the
fundamental parameters of a temple. These elements are matched and built
according to a certain science and based upon the understanding of the energies,
thereby creating a powerful energy situation and facilitating inner transformation.
The energies of the Dhyanalinga have been consecrated to last for more than 5000
years without any dissipation.

Evolution Of Concepts In Architectural Design

Process

DISSERTATION STAGE- IV

S.V.NIKILA SHRI
10AR38

Aim

To underline the importance of concept in architectural design

process by studying about factors playing a crucial role in
generating concepts.

Objective
To understand the role played by physical, visual, social and other
factors in generating a concept.

To define the different dimensions of concept design.

To see through the transformation of a design concept from

context to final design.

STAGE-1

STAGE-3

Introduction

Live case studies in India. Analysis of

Definitions of notions, ideas, concepts

buildings based on comparison between

&concept scenarios

live and literature case studies.

Types of concept
Ways to approach a concept in design
process
Examples of interesting concepts

STAGE-2

Comparison based on architectural

theories
Peoples perception of each building

STAGE-4

Literature case studies of contemporary

Identifying the factors involved in concept

public buildings across all regions from mid-

development based on analysis of case

late 20th to 21st century till date

studies

Analysis of evolution of concepts behind

each building by understanding factors
influencing the design problem

Inference based on analysis

Evolution of modern concepts
contemporary scenario
Conclusion

CASE EXAMPLES

DESCRIPTION

BUILDING
TYPE

CONCEPT
GENERATORS

CONCEPT

BMW central
building
Germany
Year -2005
ArchitectZaha Hadid

Car
assembling
unit

The building
program

Problem
solving

Church of the
year
Italy
Year-2000
ArchitectRichard Meier

Church

Social
imagery of
the building
type

Analogy

Milwaukee art
museum,
Year-2001
ArchitectSantiago
Calatrava

Museum

Architects
style

Analogy-birds
wings

CASE EXAMPLES

DESCRIPTION

BUILDING
TYPE

CONCEPT
CONCEPT
GENERATORS

Birds nest
olympic
stadium
China
2008
ArchitectJacques
Herzog and
Pierre de
Meuron

Sports
stadium

Technology

Analogy to
chinese
bowl, birds
nest

Jewish
museum
Berlin,
Germany
2001
ArchitectDaniel
LIbeskind

War
memorial
museum

Social imagery
of the building
type

Essence

Galaxy soho
China
Architect-Zaha
Hadid

Commercial
&
entertainmen
t

Architects
style

Metaphor
comparison
between
sand dunes,

CASE EXAMPLES

DESCRIPTION

BUILDING
TYPE

CONCEPT
CONCEPT
GENERATORS

Suzlon
Headquarters,
Pune
2009
ArchitectChristopher
Charles
Benninger

Office

Behavioral
and
Environmental
Research

Metaphorcomparison
to open
spaces in
Fatehpur
Sikri

Astrup
Fearnley art
museum, Oslo
2012
ArchitectRenzo Piano

Art museum

The Building
Site

Problem
solving

C.A.R.E
college, Trichy
2009
ArchitectSanjay Mohe

Educational
Institution

Site

Analogy- to
layering of
spaces in
Meenakshi
amman
temple,
Madurai

CASE EXAMPLES

DESCRIPTION

BUILDING
TYPE

CONCEPT
CONCEPT
GENERATORS

C.D.S.A,
Pune ,India
2000
ArchitectChristopher
Charles
Benninger

Educational
Institution

Environmental
and
Behavioral
Research

Lotus Temple
New Delhi,
India
ArchitectFariborz
Sahba

Temple

Social Imagery Analogy to

of the building lotus flower
type

Dhyana
Lingam
Coimbatore,
Tamil Nadu,
India
ArchitectKarthikeyan

Temple

The building
program

Ideal
Clustering of
open, semiopen and
closed spaces
around a
podium

Essence

CONCEPT
GENERATORS
THE BUILDING
PROGRAM
SOCIAL
IMAGERY OF
THE BUILDING
TYPE

TYPES

ANALOGY

METAPHOR

THE BUILDING
SITE
ARCHITECTS
INDIVIDUAL
STYLE
ENVIRONMENT
AL AND
BEHAVIORAL
RESEARCH
TECHNOLOGY

ESSENCE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
IDEALS

inference

Concept
types
AnalogyLiteral
relation

MUSEUM
Symbolic
analogy-birds
wings

OLYMPIC
STADIUM
Symbolic analogy to
chinese bowl,
birds nest

TEMPLE
Symbolic analogy
to lotus flower

SYMBOLI
C
ANALOG
Y

CHURCH
Symbolic analogy
to sea waves

EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTE
Direct analogy- to
layering of spaces in
Meenakshi amman
temple, Madurai

DIRECT
ANALOG
Y

All these are public

buildings- all types of
users.
The architect tries to
communicate through
the form by creating
expressions.
The visitors
experience the
feeling of visual
connection to the
building long before
they enter it.
The analogies are
left to be interpreted
in different ways by
people.
Psychological impact
on users
Comparing to objects
similar in functions.
How layering of
spaces facilitates
activities in an
environment.
Behavioral concepts

inference

Concept
types
MetaphorAbstract
relation

COMMERCIAL
&
ENTERTAINMEN
T
Comparison to
natural dunes,
rivers,
canyons( flow)

OFFICE
Comparison to
open courtyards,
water bodies in
Fatehpur Sikri,
Delhi

People come to enjoy, feel relaxed in

entertainment spaces
They spend more time in the inside
shopping.
The concept of fluid forms gives a
relaxed feeling and exciting
atmosphere.
A metaphor differs from analogy that
comparison is on whole basis

An office building is not open to

public. The users are the people
working.
The concept of expression through
forms/ function is not relevant
A concept based on the behavior of
users in the environment gives
comfort
The open spaces, water bodies,
courtyards provide a different
ambience than the working
environment

inference

Concept
types
Essenceroots of the
design
problem

WAR
MEMORIAL
Approach- social
imagery of the
building

TEMPLE
Approach
understanding
the program

Understanding the historical context

of the site and trying to express in
design
For this, a very strong concept is
required which is poignant enough to
have a deep impact on the minds of
the people.
A war memorial is different from a
museum as it relates to an event in
history, calling for a stronger concept.
The history is communicated through
the building. the narrow slits of
windows, dead-end spaces, single
source of sky-lights, etc.
Finding the roots
- temple
- place of worship
-Peaceful, calm environment
-A hemispherical dome that reflects
the sound in multi-directions
- The users come to know of the
importance of sound by listening to
just a single drop of water falling
from a height, being reflected by the
dome.

inference

Concept
types
Ideal environmen
ts

Concept
types

EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION
Approachenvironmental &
behavior research

CAR
ASSEMBLING
Approach-The
building program

Problem
solvingidentifying
issues
ART
GALLERY
Approach site

Large podiums have been considered

ideal environments for interaction in
an educational institution by the
architect.
The concept of clustering of open,
closed spaces around the rectangular
podium.
This is an external factor brought by
the architect into the design.
The design brief demanded separation
of three activity zones.
Hence the architect has tried to
understand the problem and solve by
designing such that it connects the
existing units in the site.
The sequential processes in a car
assembling unit have to be considered.
The primary requirement in any art
gallery is the lighting.
Issue of snow accumulation during
winter was identified in the location.
Hence the architect has designed
sloping glazed roofs that also bring in
huge amounts of daylight and also slope

concepts in present scenario

SUSTAINABILITY- GREEN
BUILDINGS
Recycling- re-use of materials
BIO-MIMICRY
Water- floating structures
Deconstructivism
ORIGAMI -PAPER FOLDING

Modern concepts
Green buildings

Why Sustainable??

Global Warming
Resource
depletion
Climate change
Energy crisis
Vertical farming
in a residence

Green technology
showroom, China

Biological
concrete
-breathing faade

Development
that meets
the needs of
the present
Only collective, international action will lead to measures substantial
withoutcompr
enough to make a change in the trajectory the planet is headed for.
Architecture can be a powerful collective in the face of such a challenge.
omisingthe
We have to use available resources economically for a promising
ability of
sustainable environment in the future by designing more greener
future
environments.
generations
to a snapshot of the latest climate science prepared for the Word Bank by
Turn
Down the Heat,
meet
theirInstitute for Climate Impact Research, says we are on a path to a 4C (7.2F)
the
Potsdam
warmer
world by the end of this century.
own needs.

Modern concepts
Recycle
Chinese architect Wang Shu who won the 2012 Pritzker
Architecture Prize designed this building.
The outer wall decoration of Ningbo Museum is made in
two ways. Some walls are decorated by millions of tiles
collected in local areas. Other walls are decorated with
cement-covered bamboos.
It is reported that Ningbo Museum was the first museum
built with large number of used materials.

The Ningbo museum, China(2008), by architect Wang

Shoo

The Tower of Babel

30,000 old books,
which were donated by
libraries and readers,
to create the 82-foot
tall Tower of Babel.

Modern concepts
Recycle

The Grandma Prisbreys

Bottle Village, California

The Wat Pa Maha Chedi

Kaew Temple, Thailand
More than a million
recycled bottles to
construct a new Buddhist
temple.
Uses everything from beer
to wine bottles as bricks to
support the entire
structure.

The construction work

spanned over 25 years and
includes a variety of
recycled materials such as
beer bottles, old dolls and
numerous other found
materials collected from a
local dump.
Using bottles makes the
structure shimmer with
different colors as sunlight
hits the faade of the
structures.

Modern concepts
Biomimetic in architecture
Biomimetic architectureis a contemporary philosophy
ofarchitecturethat seeks solutions for sustainability in
nature, not by replicating the natural forms, but by
understanding the rules governing those forms

Involves mimicking of how

the environments and
many components work
together and tends to be
on the urban scale or a
larger project with multiple
elements rather than a
solitary structure.

Termite mounds Namibia Eastgate Centre,

Harare, Zimbabwe
The project mimics the Namibian desert beetle to combat climate change in an arid
environment.It draws upon the beetles ability to self-regulate its body temperature by
accumulating heat by day and to collect water droplets that form on its wings. The
greenhouse structure uses saltwater to provide evaporative cooling and humidification. The
evaporated air condenses to fresh water allowing the greenhouse to remain heated at night.

Modern concepts
Water Architecture
ThePalm Islandsare
twoartificial
islandsinDubai,United
Arab Emiratesin the shape
of palm trees. The islands
are thePalm Jumeirahand
thePalm Jebel Ali.
Each settlement will be in the
shape of apalm tree, topped with
a crescent. The settlements will
have a large number of
residential, leisure and
entertainment centres and will
add 520kilometres of non-public
beaches to the city of Dubai.

ThePalm Islands,
Dubai

The Palm Island is made out of only sand and rocks (no use of concrete was used to build the
island). This was done according to the order of the Prince of Dubai to make it very natural.
The primary objective of construction of the Palm Islands was to increase tourism in Dubai, as the
oil reserves in the gulf were getting depleted. The Palm island consisted of resorts, hotels and was
a major holiday destination.

Modern concepts
Water Architecture
A luxury multi-million dollar resort
featuring 21 moveable rooms found in the
heart of spectacular coral reefs.

Water Discus hotel,

Maldives

The chance to explore an underwater world from the comfort

of your bedroom."
Those wanting to explore the spectacular underwater world,
can also dive straight in from the hotel's airlock compartment,
including its own decompression chamber.

The luminous hotel features two large disc-shaped lounges seven-meters above the water,
housing a luxury restaurant and spa. The lounges are connected to a glass tunnel plunging 30meters below the water, leading to 21 opulent bedrooms.
Not only does the hotel look like a spaceship -- it actually moves like one, with the largest
underwater saucer-shaped room able to slide to the surface in emergencies.

Modern concepts
Deconstructivism
Deconstructivismis a development ofpostmodern
architecturethat began in the late 1980s.
Views architecture in bits and pieces
Fragmentation, manipulation of skins structure, shapes
that distort elements depicting chaos and confusion

Seattle public library

by Rem Koolhas

Baton rouge library

Modern concepts
Origami trend

The tunnel of the

catwalk, where the
models walked out
was formed to create
a backdrop for the
runway.

Scenography by Aquli Alberg

The tunnel was inspiredby the
specific style of cutting garments up
and splicing them together in new
ways, horizontally, vertically and
fromback to frontto create hybrids.
Set against the sculptural
backdrop, the collection is also a
nod to the myriad ways that
architecture influences dress.
A series of sliced surfaces generate
a complex, yet controlled volume,
obtained through three-dimensional
digitalisation.

Conclusion
The approach to each design problem differs based on the
architects personal experiences. It is the architect who has to make
a decision after all. The architect may give importance to any part of
a problem, which he thinks needs the utmost care and attention.
If issues are identified in the site, concepts can be approached by
addressing those issues or if approached in a different manner, the
site issues should be taken care of by that approach.
From all the case studies, it is evident that all architects give
importance to users in the first place. Concept of public
buildings, office buildings, entertainment & commercial buildings, all
depend primarily on the users. Understanding the physical and
psychological needs of the users is very important.
A concept is not a separate stage in a design process. It
takes shape through the design process.
Any notion or idea that strikes may seem irrelevant initially, but
may seem appropriate later.

Conclusion

The results of growing awareness andinclinationtowards

sustainable development is more visible in current day
architecture.
Man should try to strike a balance between nature and built
environment without harming both.
The developing global issues like global warming, resource
depletion, energy crisis, etc have impact on the whole world- no
matter of rich or poor. Built environments contribute significantly to
these factors. Hence, architects have to consider this perspective
of looking at nature and be sensitive to it while designing.