Developing a New Method for the Architectural Design Process: An Experimental Study Using Found-Object Art in the Design Studio

Abstract

By the late twentieth century, the use of digital media for the design process had become epidemic amongst the designer communities. This paper aims to explore the place of human creativity. In this way, the present study is an attempt to develop a new medium as a tool for the architectural design process by using Found-Object Art. To identify the opportunities of this medium, an experimental study was carried out in some notable universities in Iran. Findings demonstrate that the metaphor as a meaning-making tool for idea generation and Found-Object Art as a physical tool can provide a creative tool to present the idea in a real form. Findings in the study show that the students tried to think in a different way about the objects surrounding them which had previously been ignored. Through analysis of the design projects, it can be said that this medium is a motivating factor for innovative design.

Keywords:

• architecture design
• medium
• tool
• Found-Object Art (FOA)
• metaphor
• junk

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mehdi KhakZand

Mehdi Khakzand is assistant professor in Landscape Architecture at the School of Architecture and Environmental Design at Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran. He received his PhD in the field of Landscape Architecture entitled ‘A pattern language for landscape design process’. He developed his interest in the design process during his MA and PhD periods, especially in studio environments.

Saeid Babaei

Saeid Babaei is an independent researcher who graduated from Islamic Azad University-North Tehran, where he received the Master’s degree in architecture. The themes of his research can be traced to three general areas: architecture and art, design methodology, and interdisciplinary studies.