Discover the Secrets of Seeing And Making in Architecture Design Exercises

Architecture design exercises offer a unique opportunity for architects and designers to enhance their creative skills and expand their understanding of the built environment. In this article, we will delve into the process of seeing and making in architecture design exercises, exploring how these activities contribute to the development of innovative and visually striking designs. Whether you are a seasoned architect or an aspiring student, these exercises can provide valuable insights and help you take your design skills to the next level.

The Importance of Seeing in Architecture Design

Architects are often regarded as visual storytellers, and their ability to perceive and interpret the world around them is critical to the success of their designs. Seeing, in the context of architecture, goes beyond mere observation. It involves actively engaging with the environment, understanding its context, and identifying the key elements that shape the space. This skill allows architects to create designs that not only meet functional needs but also resonate with the users on an emotional level.

One way to train your eyes for seeing in architecture design is through sketching. Sketching helps architects develop their observational skills, enabling them to capture the essence of a space and understand its spatial qualities. By sketching, architects become more attuned to the proportions, scale, and composition of the built environment, ultimately improving their design choices. Sketching exercises, such as urban sketching or quick gestural sketches, can be incorporated into your daily routine to sharpen your perception and train your eyes to see subtle details.

Seeing and Making in Architecture: Design Exercises

by Taiji Miyasaka (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5320 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	193 pages

FREE

The Role of Making in Architecture Design

Making in architecture design exercises refers to the act of materializing ideas and concepts into tangible forms. It involves translating two-dimensional drawings into physical models or prototypes, enabling architects to explore and test their designs in a more tactile manner. Making allows architects to push the boundaries of their imagination, challenge conventional thinking, and discover innovative solutions.

Model making is a prominent method used in architecture design exercises. By constructing physical models, architects can better understand the spatial relationships within a design, assess scale and proportion, and experiment with different materials and textures. Model making enables architects to engage with their designs in a more immersive way, facilitating a deeper understanding of the project's potential.

Combining Seeing and Making for Design Excellence

Seeing and making in architecture design exercises are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are two sides of the same coin. By integrating these activities, architects can elevate their designs to new heights and achieve design excellence.

When architects incorporate a strong sense of "seeing" into their making process, they ensure that the final design aligns with its context and responds to its surroundings. By carefully observing and analyzing the site conditions, architects can make informed decisions during the making process, resulting in designs that are not only visually striking but also functional and sensitive to their environment.

Similarly, the act of "making" enhances the architect's ability to "see." Through the hands-on process of constructing physical models, architects gain a deeper understanding of spatial relationships, proportions, and materiality. This heightened awareness of the built environment allows architects to refine their design choices and deliver projects that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional, efficient, and sustainable.

Seeing and making in architecture design exercises play a pivotal role in developing well-rounded architects with a keen eye for detail and an ability to materialize their vision. Through sketching and model making, architects can enhance their creative skills, improve their design choices, and create projects that positively impact the lives of the inhabitants and the surrounding environment.

So, whether you are a student seeking to expand your design abilities or an experienced architect looking to refine your craft, incorporating seeing and making into your architecture design exercises is a surefire way to take your designs to new heights. By embracing the power of observation and materialization, you can unlock the secrets of design excellence and create spaces that truly resonate with people.

Seeing and Making in Architecture: Design Exercises

by Taiji Miyasaka (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5320 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	193 pages

FREE

You always aim to achieve that moment of insight that leads to ingenuity and novelty in your design, but sometimes it remains elusive. This book presents a variety of techniques for mapping and making hands-on design/build projects, and relates this work to real architecture. It helps you to learn new ways of seeing and making that will enhance your creative design process and enable you to experience moments that lead to ingenuity in design.

Each of the book’s two parts, "Seeing" and "Making," is organized according to technique, which ranges from quantitative analysis and abstraction to pattern and scale, to provide you with a framework for mapping and hands-on exercises. Interviews with architects Yoshiharu Tsukamoto (Atelier Bow-Wow) and Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto (Reiser + Umemoto) give you perspective on using these exercises in practice.