Strategic use of Representation in ArchitecturalMassing

Architectural massing is the primary subset of the early stages of built form creation. In this empirical study, we set out to better understand the specific cognitive processes contributing to massing. We found that these processes help the designer better manage the overall design process through strategies that facilitate a discourse between designer and her graphic representations. These strategies, which rely on the use of regulating elements, include management of part-whole relationships, design hierarchy, topologygeometry relationships, scaffolding the design process, structuring ill-structured problems, and the restructuring of problem parameters. Architectural massing is the act of composing and manipulating three-dimensional forms into a unified, coherent architectural configuration. During this process, the relations among massing elements are studied; this includes the relations of the building with its surrounding context and of the building with its subparts. Massing comprises all decisions affecting external architectural form. It is a crucial component of design because it is the phase where a designer defines her building's identity as well as the impact of her building within its urban environment. Le Corbusier defined architecture as "the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light" In his statement, there is an emphasis on massing as if it were the very essence of Architecture. Architectural massing is mostly described as a product in architectural design literature, and has not been sufficiently analyzed as a process. Therefore, we set out to analyze the cognitive strategies that contribute to architectural massing. Our primary motivation was the designing of effective computational tools that would support massing. Although the study presented in this paper focuses on cognitive aspects of massing, it is a part of a larger research effort dealing with the computational aspects required to support massing. These will be discussed briefly in the Discussion Section. Our initial study consisted of observing six architects while they were performing early design activities that lead to three-dimensional massing models. We collected protocol data that revealed specific mechanisms that were repeatedly and consistently used as an integral part of several widely recognized cognitive strategies. These include management of part-whole relationships, design hierarchy, topologygeometry relationships, scaffolding the design process, structuring ill-structured problems, and the restructuring of problem parameters. We begin our discussion with a description of our empirical study followed by a review regulating elements used as design strategies. Then, we discuss each strategy as described in literature and manifested in our protocol episodes. We conclude by discussing concepts for computational support for massing strategies. 1 Empirical Observation Our initial investigation of the field revealed that the cognitive aspects of massing have not been sufficiently described in architectural or design process literature. Consequently we set up an empirical study for the purpose of gaining a deeper understanding of the strategies that guide the massing process. Since massing does not occur in isolation, we designed a series of protocol sessions that capture massing as well as early design activities that may be peripheral, while influencing massing decisions; for instance, the site design, layout planning, or elevation design. 1.1 Experimental Set-up Protocol analysis has been widely used for studying human cognitive behavior within problem-solving contexts . Advantages and disadvantages of protocol analysis have been debated extensively and are outside of the scope of this paper. We chose protocol analysis because it captures comprehensively and simultaneously the designer's graphical representation and her corresponding verbalization. These verbal expressions encapsulate the motivation and rationale that are not evident in graphical representations therefore, clarifying possible ambiguities that are often present in the latter. Our protocol experiment consisted of observing six architects while designing a three-dimensional massing model. Each session lasted two hours on the average, but was not limited by time, in order to avoid putting participants under pressure. Each session was recorded on videotape and was followed by a brief postexperiment questionnaire. The instructions and the questionnaire are in appendix 1and 2, respectively. We considered all participants as professional architects. Each had completed at least five years of architectural design education, and had variable work experience ranging between two to twenty-five years. Among the six participants, three were experienced CAD users with a minimum of three years experience. The task consisted of designing the three-dimensional massing configuration of a dormitory building on the Carnegie Mellon campus. The program included various functions, both repetitive and specialized, with different privacy levels (Appendix 3). The site was fairly complex, with a steep slope and two axes of orientation (Appendix 4). The required outcome was a 3D model; plans, sections, and elevations were optional. Due to its level of complexity, the chosen task had potential for uncovering interesting design strategies and a variety of solutions within a limited time frame. Three sessions were completed in the sketch medium (pencil and paper) and three in the computing medium (CAD system). This allowed us to capture strategies that transcend representational media. In the computing sessions, three different industry-standard CAD systems were used (AutoCAD, MicroStation, and FormZ) so that the results would not be influenced by the limitations of a single system. The participants were also allowed to use paper whenever they needed in order to reveal the massing design activities that are difficult to achieve on the computer. Furthermore, the switch between the media is considered to be significant data for analysis in other studies.