The building design process: an investigation into productivity
Date
2015-07-28
Authors
Irwig, Henry George
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Abstract
In this study the role of the architect is investigated in the light of findings in the fields of sociology, psychology and organizational behaviour. The objective is to make recommendations as to how the expanding role of the modern architect can be accompanied by improved performance, especially in his substantive role of building design. Initially the organizational and procedural context of the building design activity is defined as the meaning and importance of productivity in this activity explained. The centrality of the human creative process as an input in design is then established and it is shown that the organizational environments within which designers work have a direct influence on their capacity and their motivation to engage in the creative process. The structure of project organizations in the building industry is then investigated and is shown to be quite different from the situation as it is assumed to be by the architectural profession as a whole. It is demonstrated
that, due to changes in technology and increased expectations in society, project organizations(which constitute the primary organizational environment for architects) are increasingly characterized by groups in which members simultaneously compete and co-operate in the initial stages of project
procurement.
Research on decision-making groups, particularly those in complex interwoven organizations, is reviewed and the nature and importance of the task known as project management explained. A comparison of this task with the work content of the non-design role assumed by architects under the traditional, hierarchic form of project organization reveals that it requires thought and action at
much higher levels and an increased ability to manage human Interaction. The response by the architectural profession is then studied. It is shown that, despite previous indications that the competence and integrity of members of the profession may be compromised by enlargement of the role of the architect, little hesitancy has been shown by the profession in accepting, concurrently,
both design and project management responsibilities. It is shown, in addition, that the acceptance of this dual responsibility has been accompanied by a deterioration in the performance of members of the architectural profession. A review of educational and control strategies employed by the professional institutes in an attempt to remedy this situation indicates that these strategies possess severe limitations and disadvantages.
An analysis of the reasons for the deterioration in the performance of architects - using two broad approaches in the study of leadership – indicates that the present deficiencies in both the competence and integrity of members of the architectural profession arise from the simultaneous assumption of
content (design) and process (management) roles by the bulk of the profession. An evaluation of attempts made to structure the profession it three levels, that of the internal organization of the architectural practice, that of the total professional group and that of the project organization as a whole, indicates that the most promising of these attempts, namely the latter, is constrained by the institutional framework of the architectural profession. Criteria for a new framework are isolated and the structure of the legal profession, which is sub-divided very much along the lines suggested by
leadership research, is analysed to establish to what degree it meets these criteria. It is concluded that, despite some disadvantages with regard to flexibility, the division of this profession into two Interdependent sub-professions meets many of the criteria set up for the architectural profession.
The thesis which emerges from this study is that a division of the architectural profession into two interrelated sub-sections, along the lines of the legal profession, is necessary if the performance of architects is to be enhanced, especially in their fundamental role of building design. In conclusion, a brief review of the implications of this thesis with respect to its implementation in practice and its effect on education are studied. In addition, directions for further research are indicated.