Architectural Design Process Overview

Introduction

Presenter: Dami, an architect from Vancouver, BC.
Purpose: Walk through the architectural design process and collaboration with other professionals.
Sponsorship: Sponsored by Autodesk.

Project: Net zero competition, where the team won first place in multi-family housing.
Team Composition: Architect (Dami), two architecture students, a building science team, and a developer.

Different clients have various project goals:
- Functional goals
- Maximizing views
- Meeting energy targets
- Improving existing conditions
Importance of understanding goals early, especially for sustainability targets (e.g., LEED, Net Zero, Passive House).

Conduct a site analysis to identify constraints:
- Existing conditions (neighboring buildings, topography)
- Future conditions
- Zoning regulations (maximum buildable area, setbacks, Floor Space Ratio)
Parking Issues:
- Most cities have minimum parking requirements, which can impact project viability.
- Check for parking relaxations based on site proximity to transit.

Modeling in Revit:
- Start modeling early to understand site relationship and develop rough massing options.
Diagramming:
- Create diagrams in early schematic stages to discuss design strategy at a high level.
- Helps identify building relationship to the site, circulation, and organizational strategy.
Client Involvement:
- Involve the client in decision-making and present all viable options.
- Support options with area calculations to show feasibility.

Back and forth with the client to align project goals with design decisions.
Example:
- Net zero or passive house strategy leads to building orientation decisions affecting unit layout.

Use furniture blocks, doors, and windows to refine layout.
Manual and digital processes can be mixed (e.g., sketching on printed layouts, using Procreate).

Revit: Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used for area calculations and schedules, facilitating automation in architectural tasks.
Need for automation to focus on designing and client collaboration.
Autodesk provides free access to students and offers tutorials.

Consider net zero targets and structural constraints (maximum window area and overhang requirements).
Layering ideas using traditional methods (tracing, sketching) along with digital modeling in Revit.

Importance of renderings in selling the project to stakeholders (clients, city, community).
Multiple renderings are developed throughout the project lifecycle to refine design further.

Overview covers the architectural design process broadly, lacking detail on consultant interactions.
Links to additional videos on working with consultants and developing project concepts.
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