Making a design statement involves compiling specific information and materials to articulate the rationale and vision behind a design proposal. Based on the provided reference, there are no set rules or ways of presenting a Design Statement, but it typically includes a short written explanation covering constraints, opportunities, and design principles, supported by relevant illustrations and site photographs.
To effectively make a design statement, you should focus on presenting key aspects of your project clearly and concisely.
Components of a Design Statement
A typical design statement brings together descriptive text and visual aids to convey the essence of the design. The primary components, as suggested by the reference, are:
- A Short Written Statement: This is the core narrative explaining your design approach.
- Illustrative Materials: Visual representations that support your written statement.
- Photographs: Images providing context for the site and its surroundings.
Let's look at each component in more detail.
1. The Written Statement
This section should be concise yet informative, addressing the crucial factors influencing your design decisions. It should cover:
- Constraints: Identify and explain the limitations or challenges that affected the design.
- Examples: Site size, topography, budget, planning regulations, existing structures, environmental considerations, material availability.
- Opportunities: Highlight the positive aspects or potential benefits that the site or project offers and how your design capitalizes on them.
- Examples: Views, natural light, existing features to enhance, community needs to address, potential for sustainability, unique site characteristics.
- Design Principles: Articulate the core ideas, concepts, or philosophies guiding your design solution. This explains why you made certain design choices.
- Examples: Sustainability, accessibility, integration with landscape, modern aesthetic, community focus, energy efficiency, specific functional requirements.
Practical Tip: Keep this section focused and avoid overly technical jargon unless necessary and explained. Use clear headings or bullet points within the statement to structure information effectively.
2. Illustrative Materials
Visuals are critical for communicating design ideas that are difficult to explain solely through text. These materials should directly relate to and support the points made in your written statement.
- Plan: A top-down view showing the layout of the design. This could include site plans, floor plans, or landscape plans.
- Elevations: Views showing the proposed design from the side. These are essential for understanding the building's appearance and scale.
- Other Drawings: Depending on the project, sections, perspectives, or detail drawings might also be appropriate.
Note: The reference states "as appropriate," meaning you should include the drawings that are most relevant to explaining your design solution and its principles.
3. Photographs
Including photographs helps provide essential context for your design.
- Site Photos: Images showing the specific location where the design will be implemented. These help reviewers understand the existing conditions.
- Surroundings Photos: Pictures showing the adjacent buildings, landscape, or neighborhood. This helps demonstrate how the design fits into its environment.
Importance: The reference notes that photographs "would be helpful," indicating they add significant value by grounding the design in its real-world context.
Structuring Your Design Statement
While there are no strict rules, a common structure might include:
Overview
A brief introductory paragraph summarizing the project and the overall design intent.
The Site and Context
Utilize photographs and site plan drawings here, along with text describing the site's characteristics and surrounding environment.
Constraints and Opportunities
Detail the challenges and potentials identified during the design process, cross-referencing with site photos or relevant drawings.
Design Principles and Solution
Explain the core ideas driving the design and how the proposed solution addresses the project requirements, constraints, and opportunities. Use floor plans, elevations, and other illustrative materials here to show the outcome of these principles.
Conclusion
A brief concluding remark summarizing the successful resolution of the design problem.
Remember, the goal is to provide a clear and compelling argument for your design by outlining the problem (constraints), potential (opportunities), and your solution (design principles and illustrative materials).
