What Is Architectural Design?

6 min readMar 29, 2021

There is a lot of detail that goes into designing an architectural project. Each step of the project is carefully thought out for safety and day to day comfort, we call this flow. What is architectural design? And what is involved in the design process?

What Is Architectural Design?

Architectural design is a concept that focuses on components or elements of a structure. An architect is generally the one in charge of the architectural design. They work with space and elements to create a coherent and functional structure.

What Is Involved In The Design Process?

There are several steps involved in the design process for an architectural project. Each step is very important to the overall look, feel, and safety of the project.

The steps are as follows:

-Schematic Design

The first step of the design phase is the schematic design. The schematic design is where the architect gathers information on the needs, style, and wants for the project and from there the he will create two to three design options for the client to review.

-Design Development

In the design development, the architect will take the schematic designs and develop them to an approved design concept. Any changes the client wants to make to the design should be communicated to the architect during this phase.

-Construction Documents

Construction documents are given to a contractor for the construction of your project. An architect will put together drawings with a lot of detail on them for the contractors to follow when building.

-Bidding

Bidding is when the architect or client seeks a contractor for their project. They bid the job to the contractor by giving them bid documents which display details of the project. These documents include construction documents and technical specifications.

-Construction

Construction begins once you’ve found a contractor you like, and you’ve settled on a design concept that fits your needs. Your architect will be in contact with your contractor throughout the duration of the construction phase to ensure that your project is being built according to the plans.

Architectural design focuses on the aesthetic and function of the structure. It’s design works to create a space that flows with its surroundings.

Architectural design

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Introduction

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction.

‘Architecture’ can mean:

Buildings and other physical structures.
The style of buildings and other physical structures.
The method of constructing buildings and other physical structures.
The practice of the architect.

Architecture as ‘the practice of the architect’ refers to planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience. It extends from urban design and masterplanning to building design, the design of individual spaces and even fixtures and fittings. It also includes the pragmatic aspects of realising buildings and structures, including programming, procurement and contract administration.

The term ‘architecture’ is also commonly used to describe the process of designing any kind of system, and is commonly used in describing information technology.

Architects

The term ‘architect’ has been used for many centuries, but the architect as a recognised profession is a relatively modern concept dating back to the mid 16th century, from the French architecte and Italian architetto (originating from the Greek arkhitekton, where arkhi means ‘chief’ and tekton ‘builder’). The term and what it represents has evolved through history to its current form in which architects are seen as highly-qualified and educated professionals.

See The History of the architect as a profession for more information.

Although buildings in the UK are commonly designed by people who are not architects, the term ‘architect’ itself is protected. Only qualified individuals that are registered with the ARB can offer their services as architects and companies must obtain the ARB’s permission to use the title ‘architect’ in their name. It is a criminal offence for anyone to offer services as an architect if they are not on the register, Section 20 of the Architects Act states that ‘a person shall not practise or carry on business under any name style or title containing the word ‘architect’ unless he is a person registered under this Act’.

The role of an architect

Detailed descriptions of the tasks performed by an architect for different procurement routes can be found in the free work plans available on the Designing Buildings Wiki home page, however, very broadly, the role performed by an architect might include:

Assisting the client to prepare a strategic brief.
Carrying out feasibility studies and options appraisals.
Advising on the need to appoint other professionals to the consultant team, independent client advisers, specialist designers and specialist contractors.
Advising on the procurement route.
Contributing to the preparation of a project brief.
Preparing the concept design.
Preparing the detailed design.
Preparing planning applications.
Preparing applications for statutory approvals.
Preparing production information.
Preparing tender documentation.
Contributing to the assessment of tenders.
Reviewing designs prepared by others.
Acting as contract administrator.
Inspecting the works.
Advising on the rectification of defects.

Design

Architecture is a team-working process and rarely a lone activity. There is always a client and there is always an interpreter of that client’s needs. The relationship between client and architect is fundamental, and the establishment of a professional and trusting relationship between the two is the bedrock of every successful project.

Creating architecture involves art and beauty, science and engineering, values and beliefs, friendship and team-working. It is one of life’s rewarding activities, bringing together a wide range of personalities, skills and expertise. It is an adventure for the client, the architect and their team.

It is important to place that adventure within a sound organisational and contractual context so that procedural complications do not derail the principal activity. A simple, clear, legally-defined understanding of what is involved will benefit the whole process, avoid conflict and help clarify the interrelationships and responsibilities of all the partners involved in commissioning, designing and building a project, large or small.

Architectural services can be procured by a multitude of routes, however, they generally involve certain core activities:

Receiving and understanding the brief, agreeing how to proceed and gathering data.
Feasibility and assessment.
Concept design/outline design.
Design development.
Construction data
Construction procurement.
Inspection.
Post-occupancy evaluation

See Concept architectural design for more information.

Design stages

Building projects are generally divided into a series of stages. This helps define payment milestones, information deliverables, decision points, the need for new appointments and so on. The RIBA Plan of work proposes the following stages:

Some stages are more creative than others. The concept design stage is generally considered to be the first, and most creative design stage, however this can be a relatively small part of the overall project. It is preceded by a host of non-design activities, such as business planning and justification, brief development and feasibility studies, and it is followed by design development, technical design, procurement and construction, which may again be largely non-creative.

For more information see: Design stages.