A case study in architecture is a detailed study of a chosen architectural project, to understand its design, construction, functionality, or contextual importance. The specific architectural qualities examined are to serve as inspiration or as a precedent for your architectural project.
Selecting the right architectural case study involves defining the aspirations and requirements for your architectural project. These factors could be; project scale, architectural style, structural system, unique construction techniques, sustainability, materials, and cultural context.
Choose a case study that aligns with the aspirations and requirements of your architecture project, offering relevant solutions and insights.
Contextual Analysis: Conducting site analysis to understand the site context, environmental factors and microclimate, and cultural and historical significance.
Design Analysis: Study the architectural style and language, spatial qualities, circulation, and function.
Material and Construction Analysis: Analyse the building’s use of materials, construction and structural systems.
User Experience: Study how occupants interact with and between the spaces, considering comfort and usability.
The topography, climate, and surrounding context significantly influence architectural design. Exploring these factors creates relationships between the architecture and its surroundings. Architects conduct an extensive site analysis to understand the environmental conditions of a site before beginning the design process. Choosing an architecture case study with similar environmental conditions will be an informative reference during the design concept stage of your project.
Studying the surrounding context delves into the historical, cultural, and social backdrop of your architectural case study. This context provides insight into the design decisions that have shaped the design, to integrate the architecture into the context and community seamlessly.
Building requirements encompass the building regulations, functional needs, and spatial requirements of the project brief. It is useful to understand how a case study has overcome unique constraints with innovative building requirements as it can result in extraordinary architecture.
The form of a building is sculpted by site analysis, massing studies and building requirements. Understanding the design thinking behind how the form of a building has come to be, allows you to rationalise your design decision-making.
Function provides the purpose of a building. Analysing a case study involves examining how the architecture serves the intended functions.
It delves into how different spaces have been shaped informed by the spaces’ functional requirements as well as spatial planning and the efficiency of the structural layout.
A case study can be chosen for its approach to accommodating building services if your project aims to meet similar requirements. This includes the technical layout of electricals, plumbing, ventilation and other essential services that sustain a building.
Analysing images allows you to piece together the architectural qualities, spatial flow, use of material and technical operations of a building. Images of a case study serve as references during the design process.
Site analysis involves investigating the site characteristics, topography, sun path, and wind patterns. This evaluation helps define the opportunities and constraints of a site and optimally integrates the building with the environment.
Each architectural case study involves a study of the style of architecture. Understanding architectural styles provides insight into the cultural, historical, technological and structural influence that shaped the architecture.
Micro-climate analysis is a nuanced investigation into the site’s environmental conditions. This investigation is conducted to ensure the design maximises efficiency in sustainability and energy consumption as well as shape the design.
A study in circulation includes flow patterns, connectivity and pathways to facilitate the optimum movement throughout the building and surrounding landscape.
You need to understand the structural system and construction methods of your case study to implement them into your project. Select a case study with a special structure to learn from its engineering innovations.
The access and approach to a building play a pivotal role in the design process. Prioritising entry points and approach help create a memorable user experience.
