A concept-knowledge theoretical framework for Integral Design workshops to innovate building design process

The technology use within the building industry is becoming increasingly important as the demands regarding comfort and energy consumption are becoming ever stricter. The traditional design approach, where the gap between the architectural artistic design and the exact engineering approach exists, is not an adequate way for creation of innovative ‘green building concepts’ that should fulfill new demands. Instead, an integral approach is proposed, where the main building design disciplines are involved from the conceptual phase of the design process. This integral approach combines use of morphological overviews, a design (visualization) tool from prescriptive design methodology, with the C-K theory, a new design theory in which concepts and knowledge spaces are discerned, for structuring object design knowledge of the design team members. Based on the notion that without the expansions of space C and space K design is reduced to mere optimization, using morphological overviews as a design tool all team interpreted functions and individually generated (sub) solutions can be visualized in a structured way. The morphological overviews subsequently play a central role in creation of integral design concept alternatives. This is a major step in enforcing team design during the essential, conceptual phase of the building design process, and can be seen as a start of the integration of architectural and engineering building design knowledge. The approach was tested within the Dutch building design industry, in cooperation with the Royal Dutch society of Architects (BNA) and the Dutch society of Consulting Engineers (ONRI). The evaluation based on reactions of more than one hundred experienced professionals that since year 2005 participated in ‘integral design’ workshops are presented in this paper. The workshops are to become a part of the new permanent professional educational program of the BNA.