Today, with all of the societal changes brought about by climate change, the advent of technology, the norm events such as pandemics, changing attitudes around work/life balance, etc., the architect’s role as thought leader has never been more prevalent… and needed. We all know that architecture is the key juncture between disciplines like art, engineering, sociology, psychology, etc. and now it seems like these will all come into play heavily in developing the new types of structures, environments, and business/living communities to deal with the sea change we are seeing in the world. Read on and see how this can play out.
Image Courtesy of Adam Mork
FROM ARCH DAILY / BY ANKITHA GATTUPALLI
As they recognize the growing significance of innovation in today’s business landscape, architecture firms are experiencing a transformation. Companies across diverse industries have also come to appreciate the impact of design on cracking challenges, thanks to the success of design-focused startups such as Airbnb. Traditionally confined to designing physical structures, architecture firms are broadening their scope and embracing research and innovation as integral elements of their design process. With the establishment of research and innovation divisions, these firms not only enhance their own practices but also offer their expertise to address the evolving needs of our era—ranging from human and technological advancements to strategic innovation.
Design Thinking and Architectural Thinking
The design thinking movement traces its origins back to the 1960s, when various efforts were made to relate design with scientific principles. In the 1980s, Bryan Lawson, a professor at the School of Architecture at the University of Sheffield, conducted experiments comparing the problem-solving approaches between scientists and architects. In the study, he presented both groups with an ambiguous problem involving arranging colored blocks based on a set of rules. The scientists adopted a problem-focused mindset, while the designers opted for a solution-focused approach by prototyping a multitude of resolutions. These observations led Lawson to conclude that scientists and architects possessed distinct processes for problem-solving, emphasizing the unique and forward-thinking nature of “design thinking”.