Understanding the architectural process

The process of architectural work is a lengthy process that relies on planning and constant development to reach the client’s vision.

There are a few components to architecture that result to the final design of the project:

- Gathering information
- Concept development
- Concept evaluation
- Design development
- Visualisation
- Consent

Gathering information

Once a construction site has been engaged, architects will then gather information about the construction site which will all be dependant on the project requirements.
There is a possibility that photographs will need to be take in order to survey the site thoroughly.

Any issues that may affect the construction regarding the existing planting, water courses and soil type will have to be addressed.
It is likely that a confirmation of the detailed process will be done in writing to ensure who knows who is doing what.

Concept development

This is the time when the ball gets rolling as it is the opportunity for the architect’s initial ideas to be presented to the client as receive feedback on those ideas.
A floor plan may be offered with some perspective drawings that will give the client an idea of the overall layout and possibly the look and style of the proposition.

Concept evaluation

In this part of the design process, it’s mostly about whether the client is happy about the direction the architect is heading in.
Liaising with the client frequently is what helps the project move forward, it is usual for minor disagreements to occur on the detail of the design. This essentially encourages more discussions.

By this stage, a clear sense of budget can be distinguished and if any problems will impact the number.
It is also an appropriate time to ensure the client and architect are ready to continue with the designs and the drawings.

Design development

In the third phase of the project, once the concept has come to a mutual agreement, the architect will begin the process of testing and refining ideas that will contribute to the overall shape of the building.

It is possible a Quantity Surveyor will be requested to estimate an independent cost. The budget may be discussed again with it relevance to prioritising over cost, time and quality.

Visualisation

It can be difficult to visualise the finished building just by referring to an image which is why it is important to ensure that a client understands what is being done.
Generally, floor plans, flows, elevations and cut0through section drawing will be provided by architects along with the usual detailed sketches.

Consent

Towards this stage of the architectural process, a building consent will need to be applied for on behalf of the client, if this hadn’t already been done in the concept stage.
For a contract price to be submitted, a builder will need a very detailed proposition about the project.

As seen, architecture is a gruelling process that results in truly awe-inspiring buildings and structures.
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Austria implements several architectural bus shelters into its villages

How did a village in Austria make architecture headlines with its bus shelters?

Though it may have seem some form of weird reality, the village of Krumbach in Austria have erected several bus shelters from international architects, putting them into use for all of the village to enjoy. The designs of the bus shelters came from seven different architects, all whom had a different take on just how a bus shelter should be.

The architect’s work isn’t exactly out of place as the architectural sector in Austria embraces the world of architecture, as its widespread recognition in the international architecture scene continues to attract over 30,000 visitors annually to its county of Vorarlberg. The BUS:STOP Krumbach project decided it was a time for a change, so several international architects all submitted their designs for the prospect of new bus shelters in order to attract more attention to the local area.

The village of Krumbach, though small in size, operates a bus service that runs on an hourly basis, which is quite unusual for such a rural area. The 1,000 plus residents of the village all enjoy the operation of transportation, so it was only natural for their attention to be turned to the uncharismatic bus services.

How did the project develop?

In April 2013, architects were invited to visit the village for three days, so they could gain an idea of the local area, the quality of the landscape, the local traditions that would take place, the people and their backgrounds and how the building’s oozed culture from every pore.
By summer of 2013, all the architects had given their designs to the village of Krumbach and the selected regional craftspeople started work on the designs, using their specially formed crafting skills to complete the project to its very best. The construction began in the Autumn of 2013 and work continued until just before the opening on 1 May, the 20 regional handcraft businesses that were selected for the projects were all responsible for the transformation of good ideas into works of high quality.

The end products were beautiful, as you can tell from the images provided in this blog. What’s your favourite design? Let us know in the comments below.

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New Street station architects resign from project

Plans for the New Street change hands as AZPML step down

The incredibly famous New Street Station is one of the pinpoint attractions for Liverpool. It was first opened in 1854 and has since seen two new rebuilds of the station, one which is currently underway, due to being finished in 2015. Work began in 2010 on the £600 million pound project that is said to drastically change the way shoppers experience Liverpool and in the 4 years since, measurable changes have been seen around the station. More than 32 million train passengers are estimated to have passed through it in the 2012/2013 calendar year, an all time high for the station.

Though the station is said to be undergoing drastic changes, not all involved are seemingly happy with the direction in which it is developing. Initial architects Alejandro Zaero-Polo were the original masterminds behind the shiny design of New Street, but after seemingly differences which are unknown to ourselves, they have resigned from the project. Network Rail have been accused of numerous things since their departure, most notably having pushed through a ‘crass and timid’ design for New Street.

AZPML, which has offices in both London and New York, have now been replaced by UK based company Haskoll, who will take control of the plans for the landmark’s central atrium.

It is understood that the project’s delivery team, whom is led by contractor MACE in conjunction with Network Rail, has pushed forward a new design for the station, one that is said to change the original plans of continuous white plaster curves for those of tensioned fabric.

Network Rail said in a statement: “AZPML was involved in early concept design stages for the interior of the atrium. However we have now chosen to work with Haskoll as interior design architect for the atrium and the Grand Central shopping centre.

“There are no plans to change the concept design of the atrium, which will flood Liverpool New Street station with natural light for the first time when completed.

“We are looking at alternative solutions for cladding the interior of the atrium more efficiently, but any change will not compromise the design or quality of the development.”