Abstract
they must predict the future. In this paper, I make a modest proposal for assisting in such ‘predictions’ – a method for testing the degree to which the designed building will actually meet the goals of the client and designer. Combining thought experiments, as used in physics, and Ensembles of Use as proposed by Richard Hill, the tool I propose here – the architectural thought experiment – will, I hope, have the advantage of speed, and can (at least partly) fulfill the role played by physical testing. Through examining the strengths and weaknesses of these and other existing methodologies, I propose a series of basic concepts which help to make it possible to make a bridge between architectural form and the client’s goals. The proposed thought experiment is suggested as a means not only for testing design conceptions but also for generating arguments that will help architects convey to clients the reasoning behind their designs.
Keywords
architectural design & practice, design evaluation, design experiments, method, user needs
Citation
Heintz, J. (2006) Architectural Thought Experiments, Verisimilitude and argumentation in predicting architectural quality, in Friedman, K., Love, T., Côrte-Real, E. and Rust, C. (eds.), Wonderground - DRS International Conference 2006, 1-4 November, Lisbon, Portugal. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2006/researchpapers/23
Architectural Thought Experiments, Verisimilitude and argumentation in predicting architectural quality
they must predict the future. In this paper, I make a modest proposal for assisting in such ‘predictions’ – a method for testing the degree to which the designed building will actually meet the goals of the client and designer. Combining thought experiments, as used in physics, and Ensembles of Use as proposed by Richard Hill, the tool I propose here – the architectural thought experiment – will, I hope, have the advantage of speed, and can (at least partly) fulfill the role played by physical testing. Through examining the strengths and weaknesses of these and other existing methodologies, I propose a series of basic concepts which help to make it possible to make a bridge between architectural form and the client’s goals. The proposed thought experiment is suggested as a means not only for testing design conceptions but also for generating arguments that will help architects convey to clients the reasoning behind their designs.