U a

How To Develop
Architectural
Concepts

One of the most popular questions I get asked

by architecture students is “How do you develop
architectural concepts?”

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 The design process can be daunting to new
students, who often find it difficult to find a
direction in their design. They are constantly
asked, “What is your concept?” by their tutors,
and it can be really difficult for many young
architects to develop a design concept.

In this article we will take a close look at

architectural concepts and how it fits in with the
design process.

What is an architectural

concept?

Concept: Definition
an abstract idea
a plan or intention
an idea or invention to help sell or publicise a
commodity
idea, notion, theory, conviction, opinion

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 Concept Sketch – Frank Gehry

http://williambellamyinfluences.blogspot.com

A concept is an idea, a theory or notion, but in

architecture we could also describe a concept as
‘an approach’ to the design.

When we think of architectural concepts, we

think of an abstract idea, one that is unchanging
throughout the design process. This is not
necessarily the case, a concept can be linked to
many factors, and can evolve as the design
grows.

Architecture concepts are the designers way of

responding to the design situation presented to
them. They are a means of translating the non-
physical design problem into the physical

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 building product. Every project will have critical
issues, central themes or problem essences,
and the general issues of designing a building
can be approached in a number of ways.

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 Scroll to the end to download this
article as a handy PDF guide!

Architectural Concept

Development
To develop an architectural concept, we must
first gather a set of information before we can
start any sort of design project. Lazy or light
research will result in a lazy and light design.
While in depth research that explores both the

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 obvious and the more obscure areas of the
project requirements and context will no doubt
lead to a more rounded concept, and ultimately a
stronger, more conscientious design.

We can categorise the key areas that require in

depth research in order to develop the
architectural concept, into three distinct areas:

Building Requirements (Design Brief)

Site (Site and Contextual Analysis)

Building Type (Typology)

Studying these three areas will guide us in

developing our architecture concept ideas.

Building Requirements –

Architectural Design Brief

The first focus of our research is to understand
the requirements of our building. This is where
we must communicate with the client to
understand their needs and what the demands
of the building will be. You cannot design a
building if you don’t know what it will be used for,

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 or who will use it.

The architectural design brief forms the very

beginning of the design project. The brief is
relevant in both educational and professional
settings. Student projects are often based
around a real-life project, with an imaginary
client often included. A live project usually exists
in order to fulfil the needs of a client, which then
forms the grounding for a project brief.

Once we have developed a solid understanding

of the requirements of our building, we can use
this data to help inform our architectural concept
development.

The Site – Analysis and Context

The site relates to the project site and
surrounding context. Before we can start to
design a scheme and develop our context, we
must carry out a thorough site analysis in order
to understand the location and surrounding
context of where our project is situated. Every
building must be designed to reflect and
complement the site within which it is located

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 and the area that surrounds it.

You can read our full site analysis guide here.

We can use our site analysis findings to develop

architectural concepts and ideas.

Building Type – Typology

This relates to the type of building that we are
designing, known as the typology. It is a hospital,
a museum, a home? This is where we collect
information to better understand the type of
building, we are designing, look at precedent
studies and gain a thorough and informed
understanding of the project. What problems are
we trying to solve for the client and the proposed
building users? What kind of structure is suited
to this building type? How might a visitor
approach the building? What features are
particularly important for this type of building?
Research, research, research.

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 Approaches to the design
There are several areas the designer may focus
on at the early stages of design that will begin to
inform the concept and direction. These areas
may be drawn upon throughout the project,
weaved into one another, as the project
develops. The approaches can be categorised
as:

Functional
Material
Contextual
Conceptual
Formal
Collaborative
Philosophical

The aforementioned themes can be combined

and shifted to expand and explore the different
approaches to the development of design and
architectural concepts.

Functional

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 Should we approach the design with function at
the forefront of our minds? Does the project
have more necessity for the functional elements
rather than the aesthetic appearance of the
building? There are certainly some types of
buildings that we would make function high up
on our priority list. For example, a factory will
have quite particular functional requirements, or
if designing a hospital we would want to ensure
that the building can be used effectively above
anything else.

Just because we focus on the functional

approach to the design, it does not mean that we
cannot demonstrate creativity and flair. Every
project will present opportunities to problem
solve, be innovative, but it may just be that in
some cases the function of the building is our
key focus.

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 McLaren Tech Centre

https://www.aol.co.uk/2010/07/07/cleanliness-is-next-to-

godliness-autoblog-visits-mclaren/?guccounter=1

Material
We may approach our design looking at the
materials of the structure as part of our early
architectural concepts. By focusing on a specific
material, we will be naturally led towards
particular forms of construction, thus creating a
type of appearance organically.

Perhaps we select a material approach based on

our site context, which suggests a historical use
of a particular material, which we want to use in
a more innovative way. By selecting local
materials, it will give the local visitors a sense of
comfort and familiarity, whilst also giving a nod to
the natural surroundings and environmental
benefits of sourcing locally.

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 St Peter House – Proyecto Cafeina & Estudio Tecalli

https://www.archdaily.com/893830/mexican-houses-that-

show-the-many-ways-to-use-bricks

Conceptual
A conceptual approach to a design is looking at
the idea of conceptual architecture. This
suggests that every part of the project is about
the concept. The sole focus of the design is
about the idea, rather than a combination of
approaches and processes. Conceptual
architecture is sometimes never built, but rather
designed as a form of thought provocation,
exploration of ideas.

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 Contextual
A contextual approach to our concept will look at
the context of the site and surroundings, the
historical features of the area, natural features,
physical features, cultural context, surrounding
buildings, existing context and the people that
occupy the area. After all, pretty much all
architecture is for people. With this type of
concept, we draw heavily once again from our
site analysis, exploring the data we have
collected about the site, both physical and non
physical.

Every project should have an element of a

contextual approach, as every design should
consider its context, site elements and
surroundings. Some designs may focus more on
this than others, and some may take this as the
most important factor in design.

A contextual approach to a design does not

always mean it will sit harmoniously in its
surroundings. The architect may choose to turn
the buildings back on the context, or perhaps
create a contrast between the old and the new.

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 There are a number of approaches to the
contextual architectural concepts.

Formal
A formal approach to design looks at drawing on
the formal language of architecture to develop a
concept. We look to architecture from the
classical period to inform our approach to
developing the formal rules of our design. The
classical orders are one of the earliest systems
of architectural language, which give formality to
proportion, scale and form.

Although the design may not be classical in its

style, it may be that the formal rules of
proportions, scale, the golden section and so on
are translated into a contemporary building.

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 Collaborative
Most projects can be considered to be
collaborative. Whether there is a large design
team working on the different aspects of the
building, there is also the client, stakeholders,
engineers, surveyors, contractors and many
more people involved in the design. However,
the end user of the building is one of the
important parts of the puzzle that often is not
directly involved in the design development.

Some architects are starting to take the

approach that the end user is the expert in the
requirements of the building, and engaging in a
collaborative exercise that sees the end user
contributing to the design process. This is
particularly popular with projects that have a
large community or social focus, where the skills
and knowledge of the building users can be
included in the development of the project.

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 This approach is rarely possible in a student
project, but worth considering as an approach to
design.

Philosophical

Another approach to architectural concepts is to

consider your design philosophy. This is a set of
values you use to inform your design. The
values could be the life values of the designer, or
could be a reflection of the design brief or
context of the site, or indeed a combination of all
three.

You could investigate some of the following

statements:

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 artistic vs. scientific
rational vs. irrational
personal vs. universal
visual vs. non visual
needs vs. wants
individual vs. society

Then you can go on to look at your values in

terms of design. How do these values work with
the design problems you face on this particular
project?

ordered vs. random

structured vs. unstructured
objective vs. subjective
one answer vs. multiple solutions
creative vs. conservative
specific vs. general
man vs. nature
complexity vs. simplicity
design for now vs. design for the future
patterned process vs. random process

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 Exercises and Ideas

Your architectural concepts should evolve

alongside your in depth site analysis, and design
brief generation. Development of your
architectural concept should not be the very first
thing you look at with your design. Refer to your
research and site information regularly and
continue to draw out the problems that you need
to resolve to make a successful design. What
are the parameters that are being measured in
order for the design to be considered
successful?

The following ideas might help you develop your

design concept.

Break it down

Explore the information you have collected and

break it down into areas that have meaning to
you. Consider the problems, the influences, the

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 context.

What are the limitations? What are the

opportunities? Consider the different approaches
above and look at which ones would have
relevance and meaning to your project.

Understand the problem

Make a diagram of the problems, or

requirements of the building. By understanding
the needs you may be led to an approach to
focus on.

Sketch

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 Another useful way to develop your ideas,
sketch out your concepts. Whether it is tiny
elements of design detail, or general form of
your building. Keep referring back to your
sketches, as they may inspire a development of
design.

Study your precedents

Carrying out in depth research relating to your

design problems will inspire you and help you
discover solutions. You can study how issues
have been solved in other designs, and how they
might direct you with your own. It is not copying,
but using previous design innovation to inform

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 your design solutions.

Design Solution

Your concepts and solutions will begin to build

as you explore the different factors required in
your design and the values and ideas you can
come up with. Hopefully these tips and pointers
will help you to develop your concepts in design,
and give you more confidence in presenting your
designs.

Why is an architectural
2

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 This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll
concept important?
assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
Read More

An architectural concept provides focus to your

design and creates a framework to follow in
order to thoroughly consider the project, from
design requirements, through to site conditions,
and beyond. A concept can provide clarity and
direction, allowing your design solution to evolve
into a system that can be called upon time and
time again.

How to Generate
Architecture Concepts Ideas
The in-depth research, brief development, site
analysis and data collection, will help inspire and
guide us towards developing an architectural
concept or a seed idea that will bring our design
forward. No doubt you will have already started
to spark ideas. It is at this point you want to
develop your concept, consider ideas, examine a
theory, dissect a notion. Don’t stick with the first
thought or idea you have; this is time to explore.
But how?

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 You can check out our complete architecture
concepts guide.

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 We also have a dedicated Architectural
Concepts Board on Pinterest to help you get
some inspiration!

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 Plus you can download this guide as a handy
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 You might also be interested
in…
We have loads of other incredible architecture
content. Be sure to check it out.

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 Other recent posts…

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 Becoming an Architectural Technologist or
Architect

Natural Building Materials

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 Less Is More

21 Comments
Toffik Fedlu on November 29, 2018 at 7:02 pm

Thanks for all it is very important advice and

instructions.

Reply

RETS`ELISITSOE on March 27, 2019 at 2:02 pm

hi Toffik, it seems like we are on the same

board, so do you mind to be my friend and

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 share some information and other
things towards our study

Reply

Lewis wamae on February 19, 2019 at 10:03 am

Useful

Reply

Suvi on March 4, 2019 at 10:37 am

Thank you very much

Reply

Anthony Sully on May 21, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Interesting and I feel obliged to show the

following extract from my book ‘Interior Design:
Conceptual Basis’:

‘What is a design concept? The written

description of a concept tries to be the
embodiment of the actual experience people will
feel and see when they enter a space, so it is
never the perfect way of communicating it. I refer
to people in the generic sense instead of alluding
to gender, age or cultural differences. To begin
with a concept is an idea, a formation of

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 something that will eventually drive an actionable
reality within the interior that allows the activities
of the project to take place. EIGHT MINOR
DESIGN CONCEPTS THAT HAVE TO BE
DEVELOPED INTO THE MAIN CONCEPT: Two
groups: ORGANISATIONAL: Planning,
Circulation, Lighting and Services. FORM: 3
Dimensions, Construction, Materials and Colour.

Reply

Lobna Alwani on April 10, 2021 at 6:14 am

Could you please explain more about the

ORGANISATIONAL. Is that appear through
the drawing or keywords??
I did what the doctor said and explain my
concept idea about it. But they refused it . I
need more explanation about conceptual idea
step by step please. Or if you have some
websites may i learn more from.

Reply

PETTOG TCHATCHOUA Gide on July 22, 2019 at 6:29 pm

Thanks . It is very helpful.

Reply

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 Skylar Cavanaugh on January 9, 2020 at 6:37 pm

One of the best explanations on Architectural

Concepts.

Reply

https://miniurl.cyou on October 11, 2020 at 4:19 pm

I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am

not certain whether this post is written by way of
him as nobody
else understand such specific about my problem.
You are wonderful!
Thank you!

Reply

Emma on October 12, 2020 at 7:38 am

Thank you!

Reply

Furqatjon Olimjonov on October 20, 2020 at 7:30 pm

Thanks a lot

Reply

bezhan on November 7, 2020 at 7:32 pm

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 thanks for those amazing info

Reply

liam on February 2, 2021 at 5:40 pm

when was this published

Reply

Eben on June 2, 2021 at 11:49 am

How do you know the difference between a good

and a bad concept?

Reply

Gedion on August 9, 2021 at 3:44 pm

This could not be more helpful–It is a very clear

explanation of the inspiration we can get from
the inputs .I did not know the different ways we
could get architectural inspirations, so I’m
confident to say that any person who is looking
for an idea for the creation of architectural
concept would get something from this .

Reply

Emma on August 12, 2021 at 7:07 am

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 Thank you Gedion

Reply

yaaha on September 11, 2021 at 9:34 pm

I didn’t really understand what do you mean by (

formal language of architecture)
do you mean the shape mass and volume of the
architecture?

Reply

Dauda isah on May 4, 2024 at 12:23 pm

I am impressed with this write-up as a student

how can I continue getting this write-up tanks

Reply

Emma on May 5, 2024 at 6:37 am

Thank you Dauda

Reply

Diana on June 19, 2024 at 6:26 am

Good insight

Reply

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 Emma on June 19, 2024 at 7:04 am

Thank you Diana

Reply

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