When you stand in front of a finished building, it’s easy to marvel only at the outcome. What most people don’t notice is the years of development that lead to the completed product. Architecture is not just about drawing plans; it involves imagination, planning, technical and social issues and a constant process of interaction.
The process of architecture begins with an idea. Ideas can be developed from an individual’s desire or need, a community’s need, or a technical or structural need. The architect must first gather the information about a project, like its function, location, budget, and requirements. This will provide a clear basis for starting a project design.
Then a conceptual design is carried out. The architect will work out some preliminary sketches, diagrams, and other design studies in an attempt to test a design solution. Ideas may be expressed in the simplest design studies in order to experiment with design ideas before a solution is reached. This stage can be seen as a creative stage that focuses on finding a suitable design solution for the client’s needs.
When an architect is happy with one concept, it will be developed to a greater level of detail. The concept will turn into floor plans, elevations, and a computer-generated model will provide visual information on the exterior and interior of the design. Using today’s technology, this information can even turn into a virtual model that is very realistic.
As a design project becomes more and more developed, the architect will start to work with a specialist in structural engineering and in other aspects, such as mechanical engineering or HVAC and electrical and plumbing systems. These architects and engineers must collaborate for the design to be successful because everything has to work together.
Architecture has to take into consideration the requirements of the local building code, fire code, building regulations, zoning rules, and environmental regulations. The rules are checked by the architect in order to make sure a project complies with regulations.
After the design and all the drawings are approved, construction drawings can be drafted. These will allow a builder or builder to actually build the design. In this stage, all measurements and specifications will have to be carefully planned and detailed because any mistake or change can result in costly and difficult problems when actually building the design.
At last, actual building can start. This is usually where an architect can be involved to make sure a project follows the plan. Architects and contractors must communicate to find out if a plan can be modified or how it can be changed to fit the building needs.
In the end, the completed building can be put into service and the architect can say that a project is done. But architecture is still having an impact on society, people’s work or living conditions, etc. The decisions that the architects make during the design process influence and change how people experience a building and their lives will be affected by how they can use the built spaces in the future.
Seeing the process of the design, from sketches to reality, gives you an idea of how complex and important architecture can be. Every building involves planning, technology, and imagination. If you wish to be an architect, you have to first understand how architecture works, and that is to learn about the design process.