Applying design science approach to architectural design development

Aburamadan, RF; Trillo, C

Abstract

Unlike research methods for social science and positivist sciences, those for architectural design lack a discipline- specific conceptual framework. Performative science aims at producing outcomes for future use and therefore needs a robust methodological approach that encompasses different techniques and methods supporting an evidence-based architectural design development. This study suggests that design science can be successfully applied to architectural design development and provide architects and designers with a powerful tool bridging the gap between research and design. In so doing, this study explores the application of design science to carry out a user-centered design approach. A design challenge is reframed within the robust framework of design science by referring to a case study on refugee shelters. The traditional way in which shelter optimization is pursued by designers is questioned by involving the final users through an ethnographic approach within the framework of design science.The design outcome produced through this process is a list of specifications allowing designers to create different architectural solutions and matching the requirements expressed by the future users. The authors argue that a user-centered design outcome can be achieved and validated through design science.

Citation

Aburamadan, R., & Trillo, C. (2020). Applying design science approach to architectural design development. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 9(1), 216-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2019.07.08

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 28, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 28, 2019
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 22, 2019
• Journal: Frontiers for Architectural Research
• Print ISSN: 2095-2635
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 216-235
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2019.07.08
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2019.07.008
• Related Public URLs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/frontiers-of-architectural-research