A Conceptual Framework for a Decision Making Aid in the Design Process: Reference to environmental issues

The research, which is the subject of this paper, is concerned with the integration of the environmental variables in the process of architectural design. It is contended that the theory and the architectural practice are characterised by everlasting series of determinisms, which make some design variables to be eluded in the design process. Several hypotheses are put forward in order to explain the factors inhibiting a complex approach to architectural design. It is shown that the solution of such a problem requires the formulation of a theoretical paradigm possessing its own postulates, axioms and speaking the language of the architect. The notion of “type”, transformed in a “generic type”, embodyingi multifaceted knowledge is put forward as a concept in the way to defining a design process. The typology embodies an important applicability potential, which, associated with that of the computer, namely, expert systems and case based reasoning, may contribute to the decisive integration of the physical factors of the environment in the process of architectural design