Jerilyn Hale

Thesis Prep I

Assignment 3A

David Hinson’s article “Learning from Doing in the Design-Build Studios” (2007) and David Wang’s “Design in Relation to Research” (2002) are two readings that discuss the complex relationship between design and research. What they share is the point of view that research indeed aids design and that there are numerous methods and approaches of research and their impacts on design.

Hinson discusses one particular method of research in his article but shares two examples of how it has been successful in aiding design. The method addressed is “research-driven” design build. It is stated “design-build studios illustrate how a ‘research-driven’ design build studio might serve as an effective base for the synthesis, integration, and transformation of knowledge through design teaching.” (Hinson 1) The first example is the design-build studio called DESIGNhabitat were predesign research is imperative to the final design. The studio investigates the regions climate, culture, and architectural traditions to make sure the proposed design contextually fits. Even after the completion and construction of the design the structures are still studied to monitor the effectiveness of the design. This in itself again is research for the next iteration of housing designs. The design-build becomes a cyclical motion of research, analysis, design, and application and then repeats. The methods described in Wang’s piece are more linear, but are still aiding design through research.

David Wang discusses a multitude of methods of research and how they relate to the design process. There is one in particular that is closely linked to the “research-driven” design build studios. Wang calls this method “Design in Collaboration” in this model of research the emphasis is not on a single designer, but on collaborative design with a wide range of diverse expertise. Wang uses Linda Groat’s proposal of the “architect as-cultivator” to illustrate this model of research. There is selflessness on the part of the architect in this model of research where a larger community presence takes precedent. “Groat means to shift away from the model of the architect as a sole technicians or sole artist toward one that is sensitive to a larger communal mission of well-being.” (Wang 117) There is the goal to incorporate the community of all fields in the design process and to have the team understand the greater common good and a successful environment Groat says, “can only be realized by fully engaging the social and cultural milieu in which it is embedded.” (Wang 118) Wang uses Linda Groat to exemplify his models of “Design In Collaboration” while this it just one of the many models in the chapter it is the one that shares similar qualities to Hinson’s “research-driven” deign-build models.

The two models are similar because they are about gathering information on the culture and working with a community to better a design that will allow for a design to contextually fit and be for the common good of that place. Design is not research, but research certainly affects the design outcomes and aides the process. Wang and Hinson share this conclusion regarding the relationship between design and research as demonstrated by Linda Groat’s proposal and by DESIGNhabitat.