Reflection, participation and production of ideas through architectural design practice

Abstract

To develop new ideas for the future, design could prove a useful tool. This is because design education and practice are almost exclusively idea orientated. Often designers cannot explain exactly what they do, but with reference to reflective practice, common tensions may be revealed and developed into templates for the generation of ideas. My practice-led research has studied how acts of architecture can support sustainable living and resulted in the design, construction and use of a public building with gardens. Through this space, I explored a number of techniques for reflective design practice. I developed conversations between conflicting points of view and situations. I attempted to interpret Donald Schön’s writings regarding the four fundamental tensions in design, with a view to gaining a better understanding of these tensions through my own work. Four parts of the studies are described in this paper. They explore practical methods for reflective design practice that may generate ideas towards sustainable living.

Keywords:

• reflective practice
• design research
• participatory design
• design knowledge
• practice-led research

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Professor Bengt Molander (Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, NTNU) who assisted by clarifying thoughts, structuring reflections and critical thinking.

Notes

1. See, for example, Cross (2011).

2. See  http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/factsheet/index_en.html. Retrieved July 2013.

3. Schön, paraphrasing Papert (1980).