Abstract

This paper discusses a design project in which a set of conceptual and operative diagrams is introduced to architectural design students to help them visualize, develop and present the various procedures associated with the design derivation processes. The structure underlying the proposed diagrams represents a theoretical framework for a diagram-aided approach to architectural designing that may systematically guide its sequence and externalize its generative forces. The scope of the proposed approach includes all phases of designing that include the pre-design reasoning and post-design evaluation activities with an emphasis on the core design processing and form-making activities. To test the applicability of this framework and help translate it into a practical approach, it was implemented to process a real design project in an architectural design studio. The results of this empirical study are reported and discussed.