2 answers
Hannah
Student
Truckee, California
1
Question
Asked
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In the field of architecture, how does one know they are thinking outside of the box rather than just building the box?
I am a second year architecture student and struggle with the "never knowings" of architecture. #architecture
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2 answers
Gina Roca
Technical Support Advisor
15
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hello Hannah!
My name is Gina Roca and I'm an Architecture graduate student at the University of Florida. As a fellow student, I completely understand your concerns about thinking outside the box, and here are some of my recommendations:
1. The best way to know if you are thinking outside the box is if you notice that your work moves away from standard procedures that can be taken in architecture. A good practice is to look at inspirational projects or understand basic methods of design and analyze the best way to break from them and find something creative to do with them.
2. If you are uncertain if the team you are working with is looking for someone who is thinking outside the box or creating the box, it is best to ask but also analyze the proposals in the project you are working on. Understanding what you are designing for is vital so that you can give it the purpose that will help you understand which dynamic to use.
3. Thinking outside the box is not something that you always have to do but it is a method that can help your work stand out in a setting where other architects may propose some standard designs that can be seen often in society.
4. Likewise, it is okay to not always use the box, but depending on the project, this method can be a safe way to meet standards and regulations that may be required for the design that is being discussed.
5. No matter which method you use, as long as your design is cohesive and can bring the message forward, you should be able to present that during your proposals. It can be easy to fall into that discussion of what is outside of the box and what is not but even though these methods are important, they shouldn't limit our creativity and instead should guide us to explore that creativity and explore a design that will make sense for the project.
Hope this information was resourceful for this very interesting question!
Best regards,
Gina Roca
My name is Gina Roca and I'm an Architecture graduate student at the University of Florida. As a fellow student, I completely understand your concerns about thinking outside the box, and here are some of my recommendations:
1. The best way to know if you are thinking outside the box is if you notice that your work moves away from standard procedures that can be taken in architecture. A good practice is to look at inspirational projects or understand basic methods of design and analyze the best way to break from them and find something creative to do with them.
2. If you are uncertain if the team you are working with is looking for someone who is thinking outside the box or creating the box, it is best to ask but also analyze the proposals in the project you are working on. Understanding what you are designing for is vital so that you can give it the purpose that will help you understand which dynamic to use.
3. Thinking outside the box is not something that you always have to do but it is a method that can help your work stand out in a setting where other architects may propose some standard designs that can be seen often in society.
4. Likewise, it is okay to not always use the box, but depending on the project, this method can be a safe way to meet standards and regulations that may be required for the design that is being discussed.
5. No matter which method you use, as long as your design is cohesive and can bring the message forward, you should be able to present that during your proposals. It can be easy to fall into that discussion of what is outside of the box and what is not but even though these methods are important, they shouldn't limit our creativity and instead should guide us to explore that creativity and explore a design that will make sense for the project.
Hope this information was resourceful for this very interesting question!
Best regards,
Gina Roca
Andrea Licata
Designer | Teacher - Technical Design 1 , 2 & 3 | Cambridge Design and Technology | District School Board of Pasco County
4
Answers
Land O' Lakes, Florida
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
I attended an architecture program after many years working as a detailer for sub contractors. This was the hardest for me. I had to start with the conventional and abstract it to its basic element and then work from there. I smashed many models in frustration, but after a while it got easier to think more conceptually.