Heuristic Reasoning - Ad Hoc Design

AD HOC STRATEGIES IN THE DESIGN OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Heuristic Reasoning in Architectural Design Approaches

Heuristic Reasoning

Heuristic method or reasoning is particularly used to rapidly come to a solution that is hoped to produce ‘optimal solution’ in a problem solving process.

Ad Hoc Design

Ad hoc design is generally associated with design strategies for a specific problem, and which cannot be adapted to other purposes. In this case, ad hoc design is being seen from the study of post-disaster rebuilding processes which involved various parties from the built industry in the redevelopment of the built environment.

Natural Disaster Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 26 December 2004

Situation

In this situation, the architect is being faced with a problem-solving process which is unknown beforehand whether a particular design strategy will yield a solution or not.

Design Knowledge Rules of Thumb

Concept of Situation*

General Theories

* The concept of Heuristic Reasoning in this context bears a resemblance to Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s concept of Situation

Concept of Situation

The context of Banda Aceh after the tsunami has led the architect to see situation in the terms of ‘involvement in circumstances’.

Situation Demands

Active Concerns with Sets of Natural, Cultural, or Human Problem

Quick Response

Learn How To Act

In the creative process of architectural design in responding to disaster, attempts shall be made to overcome the complexity and contradiction of the situation and make some sense out of it.

Rapidness

Cost

Environmental Impact

Culture

Religion

Social

Labor

Capacity Building

Community Involvement

Sustainability

Technology

Material

Human Behaviour

Accountability

Safety

Process of Selection

Design Decisions

All design decisions were made through a process of identifying some of the most critical problems and attempted a set of action that would lead to a more specific problem solving strategy.

Examples of Design Considerations

Planning:

Safety and accessibility

Layout:

Privacy and social interaction

Height:

Lifestyle and climate

Weight:

Mobility

Size and Space:

Milieu of social practice

Shape:

Efficiency and stability

Openings:

Ventilation, view and comfort level

Structure:

Easy, strong and safe

Materials:

Climate consideration and durability

Detailing:

Simple and easy

Color:

Climate and visual connectivity

Conclusion

Basis of Design Methods and Decisions (underlying basis)

Design Approach (looking at problems)

Logical Structure/ Heuristic Reasoning

Reference

1.

Rowe, Peter (1987). Design Thinking. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

2.

Merleu-Ponty, Maurice (1962). Phenomenolgy of Perception. (translated by Colin Smith). London, UK: Routledge and Kegan Paul.

3.

Mallin, Samuel (1979). Merleu-Ponty’s Philosophy. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press.

4.

Amirrol, Hafiz and Zubir, Syed Sobri (2006). Architecture of the Unsettlement. Southampton, UK: WIT Press.

End