Adaptive Architectural Value Engineering: Methods

To develop an architectural design with an optimal solution, an understanding of the mechanics of design process becomes important. In 'Design by Optimization in architecture, Building, and Construction', architectural design is defined as a goal-directed activity in which decisions are made about the physical for of the building and their components in order to ensure their fitness for the intended purposes. Further, that design itself is comprised of three primary identifiable phases, problem analysis, design synthesis, and design evolution, which are performed in a cyclical process by conscious or unconscious sorting of design goals. (Greo, Radford, 1988) This process of design moves from generalizations about design defined in a broad terms, methods, and doctrines, and results in optimal design solutions. These solutions may or may not be the optimal answer to the design problems. The cyclical form of design becomes well suited for the introduction of value mapping and continual improvement practices. Architectural design is not often thought of in this manner, lacking proper evaluation of design changes and post occupancy analysis. Gero and Radford, 1988, refer to the a bias present in design practice in which a designer over rely on personal judgment in the decisions affecting the tradeoffs between design solutions without proper numerical or practical reasoning to meet client or social expectations at the cost of performance in the final product. Does form follow function, or function follow form? In a optimal method of design, the cyclical evolution of the solutions allows for both statements to be true. This allows a balancing of aesthetics to performance sought in an optimal solution to a design problem