Design approach
The page gives a gist of the various design processes undergone during the studio (for the two projects- dream and client) which were custom made to fulfill the specific requirements of the firm/ goals.
PROCESS
The processes are divided into two segments, first the non negotiable part/ standardized (irrespective of the project), & second the part which is custom tailored to the project, which would help in achieving the larger goals in the most meaningful way.
Standardized
The first few STEPS aim at connecting the individual projects to the larger umbrella of employee satisfaction and catering towards the larger social issue.
1: DESIGN BRIEF, TIME DYNAMICS
Description: Coming up with a design brief which contains information such as- client- (their lifestyle, needs, wants, etc), occupants/ users, site, program requirements. This is to get some objective aspects which could help in setting the trajectory of the design, gauge the cost, size of the project- translating into the fees required, hence the number of hours that could be spent on the project.
2: RESEARCH- SOCIAL ISSUES
Description: Research becomes a crucial part the design, we as architects get carried by our intuitions, unaware of the consequences it leads to. So, data becomes an important basis on which we as designers could validate our designs, making it better and better. Case studies are a good example of this, to build upon something existing rather than starting from scratch.
3: VISION AND CONCEPT STATEMENT
Description: Catering towards the larger social issues that could be addressed by this project. This becomes the vision of the project that governs the larger ideas and acts as an anchor to the design process. Next are the experiences and behaviors that need to be promoted to achieve the goals tied to the larger vision. Last is the Architecture and design that help in promoting these experiences.
4: SITE AND CONTEXT
Description: Catering towards the larger social issues that could be addressed by this project. This becomes the vision of the project that governs the larger ideas and acts as an anchor to the design process and the outcome emerging from it. Next are the experiences and behaviors that need to be promoted to achieve the goals tied to the larger vision. Last is the Architecture and design that help in promoting these experiences.
Custom Made
This segment of the design process is more flexible to the needs of the project, people working on it. Below is an example of the process of the client project.
SKETCHING, SCRIBBLING
The entrance to the site and the path adopted by the users became the starting point to design. The placement of beds adjacent to the greens located on the site became the anchor.
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION EX.
This step involved taking inputs of junior employees (here juniors from L2) to get different perspectives of ideas and at the same time to make them feel valued & appreciated. The below image is a direct outcome of the ex.
JOURNEY- VISUAL MAPPING
This step was the most crucial for achieving the social goal of the project. It involved mapping cones of vision throughout the journey, to be able to provide a soothing experience.
ARTICULATION
The materials, textures, colors, were very important to this specific project as one of the major goals was to keep the patients visually busy, which was a part of the larger vision- to tackle the avoidance of medical care.
