Architectural Research & Designresearch

Presentation on

Architectural Research & Design Research

120113, 120116, 120128, 120132, 110101, 100102, 100123 KUAD, Khulna University, Bangladesh

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What is Research Research = Re + search Over again and again

to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to probe

A term describing a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles (Grinnell 1993: 4).

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• Research is one of the ways to find answers to your questions. • Undertaking a research study is to find out answers to a question through systematic process(es) that ▫ is being undertaken within a framework of a set of philosophies; ▫ uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been tested for their validity and reliability· ▫ is designed to be unbiased and objective. Kumar, 2005

• Research process ▫ involves scientific methods that consist of systematic observation, classification and interpretation of data. ▫ is one in which nearly all people may engage in the course of their daily lives. • What is the difference between our day-to-day generalisations and the conclusions usually recognised as scientific method? ▫ It lies in the degree of formality, rigorousness, verifiability and validity of the latter (Lundberg 1942: 5).

Lundberg, George A., 1942, Social Research-A Study in Methods of Gathering Data (2nd ed.), New York, Longmans, Green & Co.

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So Research is…

Research Issue Solve problems

Methodology

Inquiry

Create new knowledge

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Architectural Research Architectural research requires a global or holistic understanding of architecture. It is linked to the central activity of architects: design. It is conditioned by the fact that there are no determinist theories of which the design would be the application; the design itself is what connects/translates them. It is a development/extension/ innovation of architectural practices. It is interested in the generally recognized practices, subjects, and themes of architecture. Architecture is a creative discipline oriented towards practice. It is engaged, creative, reflexive practice

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Design Research Research through design embraces creative production, with the design process itself as a form of discovering new knowledge.

The most and least understood area of architectural research involves that which works through design, which engages design itself and itself a form of research.

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Research through design takes different forms, depending on the project and context:

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Architectural Research & Design Research: Facets of similarity

Design

Research

Models of reconstructed logic

Systematic design process

Scientific Method

Multiple logics

Abductive Inductive Deductive

Abductive(research design/hypothesis formation) Inductive Deductive

Logics in use

Generator/conjecture model Problem/Solution

Multiple Sequences of Logics, Dependent on Research questions and purposes

Scope

Macro/micro and mid-level applied

Big/Medium/Small Theory

Social context

Situated Practice

Situated Research

Similarity between Design & Research

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Architectural Research & Design Research: Factors of Difference

Design

Research

Contribution

Proposal for artifact(from small to large scale interventions)

Knowledge and/or Application that is Generalizable

Dominant Process

Temporal Focus

Impectus

Generative

Future

Problem

Difference between Design & Research

Analytical & Systematic

Past and/or present

Question

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Design Research Process

Research

Design

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1. Research & Discover:

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2. Strategize

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3. Develop:

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4. Document: Produce the actual thesis documents describing your discoveries, insights, ideas, or assertions clearly and succinctly.

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Types of Architectural Research:

*Divided by method *Divided by content

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HISTORICAL RESEARCH • The systematic collection of data to explain something occurred sometimes in the past.

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No manipulation or • control of variables differ with experimental research.

Focuses primarily on the Past.

The Purpose of Historical Research • • • •

Awareness of past Learn from past failures and successes. To test hypothesis To assist in prediction. 1. 2.

Scholz, R. W., Tietje, O. 2002. Embedded case study methods: Integrating quantitative and qualitative knowledge. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. Weatherford, R. 2011. “Anime for Architects.” D. Arch. thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Architecture.

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Stages of Historical Research

1.

1.

Identify a researchable phenomenon

2.

Developing Hypotheses

3.

Collection of Data

4.

Check and Verify

5.

Writing of the Report

Rieh, S. 2007. “Creating Sense of Place in School Environments: The Lived Experience of Elementary School Children in Hawaii.” D. Arch. thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Architecture.

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Types of Historical Research 1. 2. 3. 4.

Life History Autobiography Narrative Oral history Case Study

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Historical Research Characteristics: • • • • •

History research brings into view something from the past Interpretation Narrative The cultural turn – Multiple point of view The spatial turn

Tactics: • • • • • • • •

On‐site familiarity. Use of documents. Visual comparison Material evidence. Comparison with conditions elsewhere. Local informants and lore. Reenactment/testimonial. Identification of remaining questions.

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Implementation in Design 1. Formulate an idea to find the idea and figure out the research question.

2. Formulate a plan where to find sources and how to approach them.

3. Gather data try to get everything that relates to the question.

4. Analyze data go through the collected data and try to answer the question more directly.

5. Analyze the sources of data analyze the veracity of the data. primary source, secondary source. 1. 2.

(n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2017, from http://study.com/academy/lesson/historical-research-design-definition-advantages-limitations.html (n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2017, from https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~palmquis/courses/historical.htm

21 Example:

Imagination Of Somapura Mahavihara

22 Strength • • • •

study evidence from the past wider range of evidence than most other methods provides an alternative and richer source of information on topics Permits the investigation of topics

Weakness • • • • • • •

possibility of biasness. Only give a fractional view of the past Requires a different method and interpretation because of its elusive subject matter Absence of technical terminology Historians cannot agree on generalizations derived from the surviving records, depends on valuable materials which are difficult to preserve.

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QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Characteristics:  The natural setting is a direct source for the research.  Data collection is in the form of words or pictures.  Special interest in the participants’ thoughts.

Tactics:  Interviews & Open-Ended Response Formats.  Observations.  Artifacts and Sites.  Archival Documents.

Implementation in Design:

Design Information

Inquiry

(Variables)

Source

Design Outcome

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Strength:  Interpretation in particular settings, situations and conditions.  Data rich in description.  Concepts derives from the data itself.

Weakness:  Challenge of dealing with vast quantities of data.  Access to samples.  Time consuming.  Relationship between the researcher and the participant.  Verification.

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CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH Characteristics •It investigates the possibility of relationships between variables •Describes the degree to which two or more quantitative variables are related

Tactics: Focus on naturally occurring patterns.

Demograp hical study

Measurement of specific variables

Ordinal Scale

Use of statistics to clarify patterns of relationships among variables.

Interval and ratio scales.

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Implementation in Design:

Deduction

Induction

• Starts with generalization, moves towards observation

• Works from a particular situation to a general one.

Hypothetically Deductively • Works back and forth in an iterative process

27 Examples:

Space hierarchy in multilevel dwelling

Four Major Elements Q1: Community attachments Q2: Pedestrianism Q4: Social interaction Q7: Community identity Plans of Brownville and Van Dyke Houses

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Strength • •

It allows the researcher to analyze the relationship among a large number of variables Correlation coefficients can provide for the degree and direction of relationships

Weakness • •

Can Clarify the relationship among variables. Can not control the two or more naturally occurring variables. Suitable for a broader perspective, not in depth analysis.

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EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH Characteristics: • • • •

The use of independent variables & measurement of outcome or dependent variables A clear unit of assignment (to the treatment) [random assignment-experimental; non random-quasi-experimental] The use of a comparison (or control) group A focus on causality

Tactics: Study

Fig: experiment in pentagonism modular residential construction

Setting

Fig: Modelling of a Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Treatment or Simulation

Outcome Measures – Design decision

Fig: ‘Structure and Experiment’ at Headquarters of the Marcedez Benz (MBVD)

30 Implementation in Design (Achten, H. H.:2009)

Fig: Traditional experimental design process

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Achten, H. H. (2009). Experimental design methods—a review. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 7(4), 505-534.

Fig: Simulation as Design Driver

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Examples

1. 2. 3. 4.

Croxford, B., Penn,A. and Hillier, B. (1996). Spatial distribution of urban pollution: civilizing urban traffic.The science of the total environment 189/190 (october): pp. 3-9. Hillier, B. and Hanson, J. (1984).The social logic of space, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Davis, L.S. and Benedikt, M.L. (1979). Computational models of space: isovists and isovist fields, Computer graphics and image processing 11(1): pp. 49-72. Tabak,Vincent (2008). User Simulation of Space Utilisation – System for Office Building Usage Simulation. PhD Thesis, Eindhoven: Eindhoven University of Technology.

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Examples

1.

Gün, Onur Yüce (2007) Composing the Bits of Surfaces in Architectural Practice, In Kieferle, J. and Ehlers, K.(eds.): Predicting the Future: Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. Frankfurt: Fachhochschule Frankfurt, pp. 859-868.

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Achten, Henri and Joosen, Gijs (2003).The Digital Design Process – Reflections on a Single Design Case. In Dokonal,W. and Hirschberg, U. (eds.): Digital Design - Proceedings of the 21st International eCAADe Conference. Graz: Graz University of Technology. pp. 269-274. 53. Bonwetsch,Tobias; Bärtschi, Ralph; Kobel, Daniel; Gramazio, Fabio; Kohler, Matthias (2007) Digitally Fabricating Tilted Holes, In Kieferle, J. and Ehlers, K. (eds.) Predicting the Future: Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. Frankfurt: Fachhochschule Frankfurt, pp. 793-799

2.

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Strengths • • •

Establishing causality (cause and effect relationship or parametric) Generalizing results to other settings and phenomena Control on overall experimental design aspects

Weaknesses • •

Overgeneralization to different ethnic, gender population Ethical problems, dehumanization.

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SIMULATION RESEARCH •Imitation of a real-world process or system •a model be developed •this model represents the key characteristics, behaviors and functions •whereas the simulation represents the operation of the system

3D simulation of a Grain Terminal Model.

Human-in-the-loop simulation of outer space

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Characteristics • • •

one system through the use of another system, especially a computer program designed for the purpose. simulation as an architectural research strategy; computer technology has enormously expanded. “Building information modeling,” understood in its generic sense, not only dynamically models buildings spatially and operationally in 3D, it can also model construction management sequences of a building project (called 4D), life‐cycle factors projected over longer periods of time, and project costs in real time (called 5D).

Example

36 Tactics Literature Review

Problem Definition

Conceptual Modeling

Mathematical Modeling

Model Validation ( real data test)

Model Simulation ( analyzing the behaviors)

Scenario Analysis

Outcome measures

Implementation in Design

37 Strength • • •

Simulation research is able to capture complexity without reducing to a limited number of discrete variables. This research strategy provides a variety of ways of understanding future behavior. Because all research strategies involve the ‘real world’ in some way, simulation tends to be useful to a variety of other strategies.

Weakness • The project of replicating a slice of the real world is necessarily limiting (never ‘complete’). • Particular limitations include lack of spontaneity in role-playing, or the challenges associated with coding aspects of human behavior into computer equivalents. • Simulation research can become very expensive very fast.

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LOGICAL ARGUMENTATION Characteristics •

• •

Attempts to place a well documented thing within a systematic framework that explains the thing. ‘Works’ are recognized as ‘Research’ by logical argumentation. Frequently implicit; often the frameworks are not explicitly called logical argumentation.

Tactics • • • •

Studies to generate various factors Factors being proposed as the First Principles in a logical framework Critical assessment of the principle Thus, development of a systematic framework

Fig: The Spectrum of Logical Argumentation

Fig: From Hillier and Hansen, The Social Logic of Space

39 Examples

Fig: The six “S” categories of Stewart Brand’s theory for the rate at which building layers change.

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Strength •

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Logical argumentation identifies first principle as a common denominator for a wide variety of factors and provides a framework that ties them together into a conceptual system that can describe, explain and predict within its area of concern Useful as a tactic for arranging fundamental principles coherently.

Weakness •

A logical system may not be an accurate representation of the reality it purports to explain and yet still be internally consistent from a logical point of view.

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Case study and Combined Research Characteristics • • • • • •

Contain one or more other research approaches A focus on either single or multiple cases, studied in their real‐life contexts The capacity to explain causal links (why/how - questions) The importance of theory development in the research design phase Reliance on multiple sources of evidence Power to generalize to theory

Tactics

Select Several Cases

Make comparison

Integrate With multiple Data source

Note the relations

Reach for a general set of observations

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• • • • •

To know the environment and micro climate To explain user behavior and requirements To study about utility and space enhancement To analyze form and function To study about planning and circulation and other architectural features (structure, building service, etc.)

Strength • • • • •

Focus on the context Capacity to explain causal links Richness of multiple data sources Ability to generalize to theory Compelling and convincing when done well

Weakness • • • •

Potential for over complication Challenge of integrating many data source Fewer established rules and procedures than other research designs Difficult to do well

Comparison

Implementation in Design

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Moreover…

Characteristics of a Research

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References 1. Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2013). Architectural research methods. John Wiley & Sons. 2. Lundberg, George A., 1942, Social Research-A Study in Methods of Gathering Data (2nd ed.), New York, Longmans, Green & Co. 3. (n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2017, from http://study.com/academy/lesson/historical-research-design-definition-advantageslimitations.html 4. (n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2017, from https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~palmquis/courses/historical.htm 5. Rieh, S. 2007. “Creating Sense of Place in School Environments: The Lived Experience of Elementary School Children in Hawaii.” D. Arch. thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Architecture. 6. Salomon, D. "Experimental Cultures: On the End of the Design Thesis and the Rise of the Research Studio." Journal of Architectural Education, Vol. 65, Issue 1 (2011), 33-44. 7. Scholz, R. W., Tietje, O. 2002. Embedded case study methods: Integrating quantitative and qualitative knowledge. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. 8. Weatherford, R. 2011. “Anime for Architects.” D. Arch. thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Architecture. 9. Achten, H. H. (2009). Experimental design methods—a review. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 7(4), 505-534. 10. Croxford, B., Penn,A. and Hillier, B. (1996). Spatial distribution of urban pollution: civilizing urban traffic.The science of the total environment 189/190 (october): pp. 3-9. 11. Hillier, B. and Hanson, J. (1984).The social logic of space, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 12. Davis, L.S. and Benedikt, M.L. (1979). Computational models of space: isovists and isovist fields, Computer graphics and image processing 11(1): pp. 49-72. 13. Tabak,Vincent (2008). User Simulation of Space Utilisation – System for Office Building Usage Simulation. PhD Thesis, Eindhoven: Eindhoven University of Technology. 14. Achten, Henri and Joosen, Gijs (2003).The Digital Design Process – Reflections on a Single Design Case. In Dokonal,W. and Hirschberg, U. (eds.): Digital Design - Proceedings of the 21st International eCAADe Conference. Graz: Graz University of Technology. pp. 269-274. 15. 53. Bonwetsch,Tobias; Bärtschi, Ralph; Kobel, Daniel; Gramazio, Fabio; Kohler, Matthias (2007) Digitally Fabricating Tilted Holes, In Kieferle, J. and Ehlers, K. (eds.) Predicting the Future: Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. Frankfurt: Fachhochschule Frankfurt, pp. 793-799

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Thank You Mohammad Syedur Rahman Bhuiyan, Studio X, KUAD, Khulna University, Khulna