Abstract

The architecture field relies heavily on integrated disciplines, yet the activity of collaborative design lacks ubiquity in definition and execution. Collective effort becomes essential to achieve efficacy and success when faced with complex design problems in both academia and the profession (Arias, Eden, Fischer, Gorman, and Scharff 2000, Stasser and Birchmeier 2003, Larsson 2002, Wang and Oygur 2010). Despite this realization, the majority of design practices default to managerial hierarchies and distributions of work-scope representing cooperation and coordination, rather than collaboration (Kvan 2000, Wang and Oygur 2010). With clarity in understanding and a precise method for implementation, the field of architecture can exercise collaboration and experience the resultant advancement of creative output. A framework is proposed for achieving creative output in collaborative design based on four key strategies: (a) removed group-member hierarchy; (b) shared authorship; (c) use of visual communication techniques; and (d) design heuristic implementation. The four strategies formed as a synthesis of content inclusive of ideation methodologies in diverse design disciplines; communication patterns in collaborative design; and the customary role of authorship in architecture. The proposed framework will help educators and professionals facilitate creative output in collaborative design and, in effect, efficiently bridge the gap between designers with varying levels of experience.