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UNIT 3 - PRELIMINARY DESIGN

At this point, you should be familiar with the clients needs in detail and the approximate space, sq.ft. area that their built environment will require. You should also be very familiar with the site and its natural and surrounding manmade characteristics.

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The process of Architectural design begins (most of the time) on paper with 'bubble diagrams', which are preliminary sketches that show primarily room locations and their relationships to each other. 

This is the part of the design phase where multiple ideas, concepts and spatial arrangements are explored, mostly in plan view with approximate proportion in relation to the site plan. 

 

Because the creative mindset imagines ideas in a fluid manner, it is restricting and unconducive to creativity, to use and rely on a machine/CAD to do this initial phase of design. Once the 'bubble diagrams' are approved, the design can be developed further with CAD to explore more definitive sizes, massing, volumes, site diagramming and analysis to visually inform the client further of your vision for their built environment. 

 

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ASSIGNMENT - BUBBLE DIAGRAMS
Develop bubble diagrams of both 'floors' of your client's house based on their design program, including showing their relationship to each other vertically & location(s) on the site w/north arrow. Ideally, this is done on tracing paper so both floors can be seen over the top of each other. If that is not available, the main floor can be 'bubbled' on a site plan sketch or copy, then draw the upper floor over the top of it using a window or light table or surface.
This doesn't need to be drawn to scale, but spaces should be to relative proportions to their functions and to each other.
Clearly label each room or space. Show the stairwell location on both floors also as that will be a common point of reference. 
 
Watch these videos to see how professionals do it.

How to Think like an Architect
Architectural Design Process

 

DUE - 10/6/23

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