Creating focus

Creating a focus is essential to the concept generation process. It is not about blocking out the thoughts as one would in meditation. It is about “funneling” the accumulated creative inputs to solve a specific situation. This process again could be intermittent, switching on the focus and then switching it off. Switching off helps in keeping the mind open and to accept inspiration, influences that enrich the concept.

Often in architectural design the architect will need to shift the focus from whole to part and vice-verse. This is quite like zooming in and out a telescope. This is an empowering exercise that none could afford except the architect. In a single design problem the architect would pay attention to city level design as well as minute details of street furniture.

What goes on in concept generation?

Concept generation is single most empowering activity for an architect. Through this the architect may exercise tremendous control over the project. Concept provides a logical base for the project on which successive stages stand. During the course of the project concept may be referred repeatedly. This ensures that vision of the architect is carried forward effectively.

Sometimes design is said to be confirming to a "theme". This is a very limiting thought applied to a wide canvas. Architecture is a factor of Time, Place and People. Mere adherence to theme results in cosmetic treatment of spaces or embellishments. Clearly, a deeper thought process will involve in concept generation. Resulting work will be a true representative of its time.

Concept for an architectural work is different from say, concept for a gourmet dish or from a painting or a sculpture. To generate a concept one has to use the architectural vocabulary. This is where many students and practitioners feel lost.

Generating concepts for various projects is the primary job of an architect. Using his/her aptitude and vision an architect generates an appropriate concept. After this the design team may be asked to develop this concept to get an executable design. Lack of concept leads to an architecture that falls short of the role it should play in the built environment. Sadly, concept generation is treated very vaguely at all levels of the profession, from teaching to professional practice.

Concept Generation involves active thinking on the part of architect. Architecture is associated with built environment and spaces therein. It is essential that an architect uses the "language of space" when generating a concept. It could be as simple or as complex as that.

Quite often mission statements are mistaken as concept. Mission statement is related to the goals of the project, it would not lead to the architectural solution directly. For example mission statement for a hospital project may be "to provide healthcare facility to the patients". Now, this statement does not tell what is the architectural strategy to design the hospital.

Another mistake is to treat the "inspiration" as the concept. An architect may be inspired by anything under the sun but concept generation is not directly related to the inspiration. For concept generation use of architectural language and tools is essential. This is the language of space and forces that shape built environment.

Third mistake is to see concept as a form generation exercise. Form generation could only be a part of an architectural concept. A concept deals with the project in its totality- handling all the related aspects at one go.
.......to be continued.