Design methods and theories

Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 Nos 3/4 (1980) pp 124-134 This article uses the analytic hierarchy process to illustrate t h e architectural design of a house for a family of three. T h e plan of the house is developed to satisfy t h e family's needs b y considering t h e size of t h e lot, t h e size and shape of t h e different architectural spaces, their priorities, and their overall contiguity. The salient feature of this paper is to show f r o m the identification of needs to t h e final plan h o w closely shape, size, geometric design and location relate to our mental criteria and personal needs. This approach also permits one to treat all these needs and their relation to t h e environment in a coherent framework. Design is studied b y addressing each of six basic factors: architectural needs, budget allocation, allocation of areas to satisfy needs, size and shape of the areas, clustering spaces according to general needs

and identifying and locating individual spaces in each cluster.

Sundor, A 'Universing design solution: a generalised design process' Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 Nos 3/4 (1980) pp 135-1 52 There are m a n y commentaries on the problem in design, especially architectural design; but, from this plethora of literature, there has yet to emerge a satisfactory solution. However, the elements to the design answer are there, llke an unassembled jigsaw puzzle. Basically, generalized design processes can be bifurcated into holistic, intuitive categories or mathematical, systematic types. The intuitive models are n o t easily reproducible. O n the other hand, the mathematical models, involving computers or not, suffer from n o t being practical, working models.

Vaclav, B 'The system of MDAP and its application to controlled design of construction projects' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 Nos 3/4 (1980) pp 101-11 5 There exists a n u m b e r of approaches to the formulation of the tasks taking place in the individual phases of the design of large buildings and construction projects. The MDAP (multidimensional analysis of projects) is a program s y s t e m enabling the designer and the project manager to carry out, in the individual phases of design, analyses of their project. In its nature, t h e MDAP system is a free instrument of its user whose contents is determined for each project by the designer himself. However, the program system alone cannot be the centre of the problem. The problem lies in the creation of a new philosophy of c o m p u t e r assessment of relations thus created.

DESIGN: SCIENCE: METHOD Proceedings o f the Design Research Society Conference, 14-16 December 1980, Portsmouth, UK. edited by R o b i n J a c q u e s a n d J a m e s P o w e l l The acceptance of design as an interdisciplinary science was heralded some 20 years ago with the growth of clearly articulated design methods. Since that time. experience has shown many commonalities in ways of designing in different disciplines together with a common language for discussion. The theme of the papers contained in this volume is the relationship between design and scientific method, extending into the nature of design research itself. Examples of the application of theory to practical cases are included together with descriptions of methods and techniques. The multi-disciplinary nature of design is reflected in this volume which includes contributions from such fields as architecture and engineering, systems design, urban planning, art and design. management science and industrial design.

DESIGN : SCIENCE : METHOD will provide stimulating and intcrcsting reading. March 1981 / xii + 332 pages / Illustrated / Flexi Cover. I S B N 0 86103 047 8 £18.00 net in the UK only. Distribution: NorthAmerwaAnn Arbor Science PublishersInc. Woburn.Mass:Japan1Maruzen('o l_td. Tokyo; IndiaShankar'sBook Agency.Calculi=i; Ait~tra/iaBunerworlhsPly Ltd. Chatsw~d. NSW

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