Methods which stimulate creativity and their use in architecture design

Author(s)

Giovana Bianchi

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo
• Defense date: 2008-03-27

Examining board members

Doris Catharine Cornelie Knatz Kowaltowski; Anna Paula Silva Gouveia; Silvia Aparecida Mikami Gonçalves Pina

• Advisor: Doris Catharine Cornelie Knatz Kowaltowski

Abstract

Globalization demands from the design professional more productivity and originality in the creative process. The design process in architecture is complex, involves a large number of variables, and depends on creative decisions that can convert information and data into design solutions. Problem solving in architecture is challenging and the support of design and creativity methodologies is essential. This research discusses the application of creative problem solving techniques in the design process. The publications about creativity are numerous and present methods that support and stimulate the development and assessment of new ideas. These creativity methods are presented in this work along with an investigation of their application by architecture courses in Brazil and abroad. The results of this field study confirm that most of the techniques selected for the investigation (brainstorming, analogy, mind map, attribute listing, bio mimicry) are known and applied in the design studio. In most cases, however, the application of these methods is not guided by formal parameters through the entire course. As advantages to the use of these techniques in design education, are listed by studio instructors: an increase in design repertoire, improved discussion and group reflections, better problem organization, increased exploration of multiple solutions and better comprehension of the design questions. With the continuous application of these techniques, students are lead to a more conscious decision making process and produce better and more elaborated design results. A discussion on advantages, difficulties and results of the application of these methods is presented as a base for further research which may contribute to the field of design methods (AU)