This tutorial includes some basic guidelines regarding the approach you can follow in the early stages of the design. However, it is underlined that all the recommendations should be critically considered by each team in order to result in a workflow that better suits the needs and the potential of the team members each time.

Design approach 

• Start with figuring out what programs team members use to set up the direction of programs that needs to be used for the project.  

• Project requirements are given by the client (MEGA course), but mostly contains info such as square meters and ventilation requirements.

• Make excel with these program requirements, figure out different requirements such as height, daylight, distance to façade, wet rooms, temperature, comfort, connection with other programs etc. 

• Convert square meter data into boxes to get a visual representation of the sizes of the program. Include the building plot in this visualization. 

• For the plot and location of the plot location, analysis needs to be done. By combining the location analysis with the clients project requirements, a vision for the building can be created. 

• Start working on the 3D model and shape, in close collaboration with the structural engineer. Different models could be generated and advantages of each model could be combined. Set up your workflow using Speckle, BIM360 or other software to efficiently exchange 3d models. 

• Floor height is important for structure, overall building height, façade and climate design. This will change during the design process and changes made need to be discussed and updated in all models.  

Useful links

• Early stage architect & engineer collaboration

• Improving collaboration between architects & engineers