4.

Design Thinking
4.20 Creative problem thinking
Designing means to solve certain problem in a satisfactory way to achieve
particular requirement. While designing we are given certain problem. We analyze
the problem, fix our need then try to solve the required problem in such a way that
our goal is achieved. The same problem can be solved in different ways by different
individuals. This is due to different level of creativity, attitude, ability and design
approach, feature of the site, environment where the designer is born and so on.
Problems can be of different types. Some are simple, some well defined,
some are ill defined and some are wicked. Simple well defined problems are those
for which the ends or goals are already prescribed and apparent, ill defined
problems on the other hand have both ends and means of solution unknown at the
outset. Most architecture and urban design problems fall into this category. Wicked
problems are not well defined. Wicked problems have solutions but they can be
improved any number of times. Since most of the architectural problems are ill
defined, we focus on solving it.
Design problems can be solved in a number of ways. But only the a creatively
done solution can create a better result. For solving the design problems, there are
different steps. They are as follows:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

Analysis of the design problem.

Synthesizing and organizing solutions.
Evaluating concepts
Novelty and satisfying and stopping rules.

) Analysis of design problem:

The first and very important step of design solving process is analysis of
design problem. We should know what tha problem is before starting to think about
the solution. The design problem can be related to different aspects such as site,
user, visual aspects, soil, slope and many others.

a) Site:
Site is very important factor for building because it is where the building actually
stands and it guides the whole architecture of the building. An architect needs to
have a good idea of the site before he proceeds to designing. He should have an
understanding of the site as to its enertial aspects. An understand is obtained
through analysis.

Analysis of an element is its division into parts. We have an understanding

water because we know that it is composed hydrogen and oxygen. This composition
of water is known through the electrolysis of water which is its analysis. Similarly
site needs to divided into its elements in order to be able to gain an understanding
of it. With proper understanding of the site, building is oriented in the right direction
which is a very important part of the design.
Site is an object. In fact, object is a general name and it can be applied to
anything under the sun. Object has physical, social and cultural aspects.Thus, site
should be analysed considering these three aspects.
Professor Christian Norberg Schultz has written as follows in this regard:
It is convenient to divide our environment into physical, social and cultural
objects. Togethe it make up the world.

Physical aspects:

Physical aspects include dimensions, shape and size; whether the object is flat or
its plan also falls under this consideration.
One needs a minimum amount of land to make a building. In Kathmandu one
cannot buy land less than 2.5 ana which is about 80 sq. metres. For a building, the
breadth of the site should be minimum 7 to 8 metres otherwise it will be difficult to
accommodate a building in a slender site.
The orientation is another important factor. The best orientation is also decided
by the climate in which the site is located. For example, for cold region the best
orientation is south and for hot region, the best orientation is north for northern
hemisphere and vice versa for southern hemisphere.
If the road is adjoining the south side of any site then it is called south oriented.
It can be easy to design in such a site than designing in a site facing north specially
when the area is cold as in Kathmandu. The living areas and the areas in which
the resides spend their more time in need to exposed to south in
Kathmandu. In the plains, the living areas are best kept in the east and the north.
Hence the orientation is very important.

Social aspects:
Social aspects are related to the status of the site. Certain sites belong
to push locality. In Kathmandu, one can take the sites located around
Maharajgunj area. Other sites such as those located around the river beds are
supposed to be of a lower grade socially.
In ancient times, the temples and the palaces used to be located at the
centre. The noblemen used to stay nearby and then the Brahmin and

Chhetriyas would have the residences. The sweeper caste would stay at the
outermost periphery.
In fact this pattern can be seen even now. Near the ex-royal palace, the
land is very costly. Only rich people can afford such a site.

Cultural aspects:

Certain sites are culturally unfit for buildings. For example; some of them may be
used for building temples, some for burial ghats, some sites are of community
nature and so on. In such places, only community facilities can be constructed.
Grezing grounds are very common in agrarian society which live on cattle.

b) User:
The user of the building plays a very important role to decide how the
architecture of a would be constructed building be. Whatever the design of the
building be, ultimately the user is going to reside or use it so the desire and needs
of the user should be one of the prime concerns while designing. The user may be a
family or a community or a group or anyone. The design of a building varies
according to the type of the user because the needs and desires of different groups
are different. The desin of a building of same category of user will be similar but not
same.
For example; the design of a building in certain site is similar for residential
purpose of any family but not the same. On the other hand, the design of a bank is
vastly different compared to a residence. So the design of a building is different in
accordance to the type of user.
Sometimes in case of residential building, the desires of individuals need to be
taken in consideration for designing. The user may desire for something of his
individual interest or he may dislike something. All these things need to be taken in
consideration while designing.

c) Visual aspects:
The visual connection is different for different for different sites. Neighboring
houses, distant or nearby mountains, the high or low horizon, sea, greenery,
waterfall etc. should be taken in consideration while designing any structure.
For example; the vast and elegant ocean view from the Sydney Opera House and
the view of waterfall from Falling Water House have enhanced the aesthetic of those
structure.
d)

Soil and shape:

The bearing capacity, nature of the soil, slope also determines the design and
the design should be done taking those aspects under consideration. Such
factors should be utilized to create a better design .
ii

) Synthesizing and organizing solutions:

After the analysis of problem, we put forward an inadequate solution for

every problematic factor related to site, user need etc. We criticize the inadequate
solution thus proposed and try to arrive at a better solution. It is like production of a
metal. We first take raw material and refine it we get a refined metal. After we gat
the best possible solution for every problem, we combine them to get a better
solution addressing to every problems in the best way.
There can be many problems while designing. We arrive at a definite solution
for a problem in many steps. While working at a solution for a problem we need to
keep in mind that this solution will not severely affect the solutions for previously
solved problems as these solution are to combined to achieve a final solution. All
these techniques are related to the solution of functionality of any project.
External aesthetics is also an important aspects of any structure. The
enhancement of external aesthetics is also a great challenge. Regarding which form
needs to be used for exterior aesthetics we may take the help of different oredetermined design techniques. The design may be any one among the below:1)
2)
3)
4)
1.
2.

Paradigm.
Iconic.
Analogic.
Cananic
Iconic
Iconic:

Iconic means that a structure acts as an icon or symbol. For this the structure
itself should be a hierarchy. For example; the design and construction technique of
Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Taj Mahal are different than the other buildings
built near them. So these structures are able to symbolize the place where they are
built. So the are iconic.
3. Analogic:
Analogic means any design which is made by being inspired by some natural or
artificial phenomenon. It is relatively easy technique. In this technique, the designer
gets inspired by some phenomenon and perceives to create design. Foe example;
the structures designed by Zaha Hadid are organic in nature which is the result of
inspiration from nature.
4. Canonic:

While building any structures if we take help of pre-built structures to

create its desin then the system is called canonic. For example; if we
are designing a temple, then we look at the design of the pre-built
temples through case studies and apply the relevant construction
techniques, design forms and function in our design. Most design
process and design problems are worked out by this technique.