Summary PhD Dissertation

The Cyclical Iterative

Design Process
and Design Environment
learning from experience

Martin Smit
 The Cyclical Iterative
Design Process
and Design Environment
Architects usually regard their designs as unique. Using elements from previous
designs is generally considered to be a lack of creativity. A design is not usually
looked upon as as being a product. Parts of buildings can be products, but
whole buildings are not considered to be products.

There are however design assignments with a repetitive character, in which large
numbers are being designed and realised on the basis of a certain concept. In
the retail business for instance, the same concept may be applied to a relatively
large number of locations. The concept is standard and the design assignment
for each location is also standard. The implementation of the concept, however,
is seldom identical. Even with a strong concept and an equally strong imple-
mentation process, each location is unique with its own specific conditions, and
each implementation has its own unique aspects.
Dissertation
From participation in practice in designing and implementing a retail concept,
Ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor the idea evolved that there is no such thing as a standard design or a standard
aan de Technische Universiteit Delft, implementation process. From each design realised there is something to be
op gezag van de Rector Magnificus prof. dr. ir. J.T. Fokkema learned. The ability to look at the finished product is an opportunity to learn.
voorzitter van het College voor Promoties, This way each product can be better than the last product.
in het openbaar te verdedigen op,
Research Question
maandag 11 februari 2008 om 12.30 uur The research question that evolved is whether it is possible to develop a design
door Martin Willem SMIT process in which an architect can acquire knowledge and experience efficiently
bouwkundig ingenieur from comparable design projects and use them in current and future projects
geboren te Soest op 18-11-1957 without sacrificing creativity.

Existing design processes in architecture and other design disciplines

Several design processes used by architects are analyzed in chapter 2. Except for
the design process of Eekhout, they all contain a number of sequential phases
Dit proefschrift is goedgekeurd door de promotor: and lack a degree of feedback. There is almost no possibility to improve the
Prof. dr. ir. A.C.J.M. Eekhout result or to learn from experience.

Samenstelling promotiecommissie:
Rector Magnificus, voorzitter
Prof. dr. ir. A.C.J.M. Eekhout, Technische Universiteit Delft, promotor
Prof. dr. ir. J.J.N. Lichtenberg, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Prof. dr. ir. J.W.F. Wamelink Technische Universiteit Delft
Prof. dr. ir. M.J.L. van Tooren, Technische Universiteit Delft
Prof. ir. A. Beukers, Technische Universiteit Delft
Prof. ir. B. Molenaar, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Prof. ir. D.E. van Gameren Technische Universiteit Delft
Dr. ir. A.I.M. Voorbij heeft als begeleider in belangrijke mate aan de totstand­
koming van het proefschrift bijgedragen.
In chapter 3, several design processes from other design disciplines, such as
industrial design and aeronautical design, are analyzed. There is usually a high
degree of feedback due to the cyclical aspect of the design process. Improve-
ments are an integral element of the design process.
The conclusion is that the aerospace design methodology is the one most rele-
vant to architectural design. As well as the already mentioned cyclical aspects,
the customizing aspect plays a role.
How a number of architects have used methods and technologies from the
aerospace industry or were inspired by them is analyzed in chapter 4.

summary dissertation 1
 Beside technological inspiration, a number of architects are inspired by the fact A number of case studies in architecture, as well as in aerospace, were used to
that in aerospace there is a strong and continuing focus on improvements. achieve a better understanding of these stages for architects:

The Cyclical Iterative Design Process (Re)definition of the specifications and design development
Based on a design scheme from Thomke and inspired by aerospace, the so- The specifications for a retail project are analysed. The continuous improvement
called “Cyclical Iterative Design Process” is defined in chapter 5 (figure S-1). of the Boeing 737 and the development of housing design by the Dutch architec-
The design process consists of 4 stages: tural practice Inbo are studied. From the study of the Boeing 737 it appears that
• Re)definition of the specifications and design development; by being sensitive to internal design aspects, such as technical developments and,
• Production (Model, Mock-up, Prototype and Product); more important, external factors such as socio-economic circumstances and legis-
• Testing / Using; lation, a product can be updated time and time again. This way it has managed
• Analysis and Evaluation. to stay a state-of-the-art product over more than forty years. In architecture, it
seems to be especially important to define the right requirements and to incor­
porate a certain degree of flexibility in the specifications from the outset.
(Re)definition of the
Specifications and Production
Design Developement Different forms of production are studied. They can have several embodiments:
Models, mock-ups, prototypes (or pilots), and the eventual product (at location).
Producing
A set of definitions was developed that can also be used in architectural design.

Testing / Using
In the testing that took place during the development of the Boeing 777, a
Analyzing and Iterations
Evaluating Model Mockup
Prototype Product number of aspects became apparent, such as testing in a user environment and the
(Pilot) (Location) emphasis on test criteria. A new test regime for architectural design was developed.

Analysis and Evaluation

Three cases are looked at. Each of the cases has its own specific evaluation method.
For a retail project, the projects are evaluated in weekly sessions attended by most
of the participants involved in the project. Each participant gives his opinion and
Testing / Using suggestions for potential improvements. In addition to this process of feedback,
an evaluation tour was organised. In this tour, which took place once or twice a
year, a number of realised branches (locations) were visited by everybody involved.
Figuur S-1 Basic Model Cyclical Iterative Design Process Each participant gave his or her opinion, and the results were collected in a
booklet with comments and suggested improvements. A study of an upgrade of
one of the locations in the retail project shows that the recommendations of the
evaluation can be implemented for relatively little money and effort. The result is
a considerably improved branch.

The four stages are worked through successively. At the end of each cycle, the
result is analyzed and evaluated. This serves as input for the next cycle. The
iterative principle is an integral part of the Cyclical Iterative Design Process,
in which each cycle should lead to an improvement of the quality. Maximum
quality in the minimum number of cycles. If after the first cycle the result is
analyzed and evaluated and the required quality has not yet been achieved,
another cycle is started. Should the quality still not be at the required level at
the end of the second cycle, another cycle is started. This process is repeated
until the required quality has been achieved.

Application of the Cyclical Iterative Design Process

In chapter 6, the Cyclical Iterative Design Process is applied in a number of
cases. The introduction of the Cyclical Iterative Design Process resulted in

summary dissertation 3
continuous improvement in these cases. Development of an Internet reading
room for the application in retail branches took place in a relatively short time-
frame and for a relatively low budget.
Mock-ups were produced for the facade elements and a laboratory of a large
research facility. The mock-ups resulted in significant design improvements and
refinements. The costs of producing the mock-ups were minor in comparison
to the overall budget. This way, potentially costly failures could be avoided. A
potential application was developed for a research project on industrial housing
called the “Concept House”. For repetitve design assignments based on the Cyclical
Iterative Design Process, an implementation process was developed that has proven
to be applicable in real situations.
The case studies showed that the Cyclical Iterative Design Process can contribute
to a significant improvement in the quality of the design and the final product.
The Design Environment
The Design Environment is defined in chapter 7. It consists of four main
elements: Contract Structure, Office Organisation, Quality System and Informa-
Design Environment
tion Management. The cyclical concept is applied to these four elements and
the so-called Cyclical Iterative Design Environment is defined. Figure S-2 shows
the relationship between the Design Process and the Design Environment.
Tools are developed to optimize the four elements through a cyclical process to
achieve the best possible environment for creating the best possible product.
Contract Structure
Contracts are usually written from a purely financial perspective and in the
Dutch situation more or less dominate the entire design process. A design-
based contact structure was developed.
Office Organization
By introducing the cyclical concept in the office organisation, the organisation
takes a performance-orientated focus. There is a continuous process of impro-
ving by evaluating the results, as well as the factors that determine the result.
Quality System
With a relatively minor modification of the existing evaluation element of the
quality system, the performance of the system can be improved dramatically.

Information Management Design Process

(Re)definition of the
Contract Structure Specifications and
Design Developement

Producing

Analyzing and Iterations

Design Process Evaluating Prototype Product
Model Mockup
(Pilot) (Location)

Testing / Using
Quality System

Office Organisation

Figuur S-2 Cyclical Iterative Design Process and Design Environment

Cyclical Iterative Design Process and Design Environment summary dissertation 5

By emphasising the moment of evaluation, either internal or external, the
organisation can acquire a more product-oriented attitude. The users will see the
quality systems more as a means to an end and to achieve a certain performance
level. The quality system is less a target in itself and becomes a tool.
Information Management
Chapter 10 deals with the cyclical aspects of information management. It
describes an existing paper-based information system in a retail project, which
is transformed into a digital information system. Where the paper system was
sequential, the digital system is cyclical. The digital system contains strong
feedback elements and all information in the system is continuously updated.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions
On the research method
Extensive use was made of knowledge and experience in other design disci-
plines. It appears that this can generate new insights into the design discipline
of the researcher.
The research is qualitative rather than quantitative by nature. The aim was not
so much to reduce the reality to a numbers-based set of rules, but to get an
understanding of the processes that lead to the outcome.
In the research there was a constant tension between on the one hand generating
new insights on the basis of existing knowledge and on the other hand genera-
ting fundamentally new knowledge and insights that can be implemented. The
cyclical interaction between the two approaches generated fundamentally new
knowledge and insights.
On the application of the Cyclical Iterative Concept
The Cyclical Iterative Concept is not a system that, when used automatically,
will lead to a better product. The reality of building is much too complicated for
that. The process should be considered more as a way of thinking for everyone
involved in the process of building that can be used to stimulate creativity, and in
the end will lead to a better product.
The Cyclical Iterative Concept is especially useful in recurrent design assignments.
From their experience, clients seem to realise that the Cyclical Iterative Concept
can lead to a significant improvement in their assignments.
Recommendations
For a wider application of the Cyclical Iterative Concept
In housing assignments there is a certain repetitiveness, in the projects them-
selves but also in the scope of different projects. The Cyclical Iterative Concept
can be used to make the experience more explicit and useful not only for the
architect but also for other participants in the project.
In utility assignments, the projects are one of a kind. Losses in reduced effi-
ciency will not easily become apparent. On the level of building components,
the Cyclical Iterative Concept is more applicable. Components can be built,
tested and analysed. Specifications can be altered and concepts can be improved.
Especially in high risk components, failure costs can be significantly reduced.
For application of the Cyclical Iterative Concept by architects, clients, manufac-
turers and building managers
It appears that once the participants have actively participated in a process
based on the Cyclical Iterative Concept, they start to realise that they can
achieve better results with less effort. Application of the Cyclical Iterative
Concept, however, requires a change in attitude from the participants:
Architect
In the past, the architect was in a very strong position and was usually the
determining factor in the design and building process. Nowadays, the role of
the architect is much more limited. Especially in larger housing projects, the
architect is hired to develop a pleasant concept. During the remainder of the
process, they are merely regarded as aesthetics advisors. The cyclical way of
thinking can give the architect greater involvement in the whole process and
more influence on the final result. This overall aesthetics management will
eventually improve the project, but it requires a more open approach from the
architect to the input from the other parties. For most architects, organisation
and especially management are negative and unfortunately necessary “side-
effects”. An architect working with a cyclical approach has to have at least basic
organisation and management skills.
Client (principal)
The principal (client) usually prefers to divide the whole process into a number
of rather distinct phases. For the principal, this setup looks more manageable.
The downside is that each phase has its own participants and the interaction
between participants in these phases is usually limited. This leads to a loss of
information and the quality of the resulting product is less than could potenti-
ally be realised. The Cyclical Iterative Concept can reduce this loss of informa-
tion and stimulate the interaction between the participants, making the whole
process more transparent for the client as a result.
Contractor (manufacturer)
The manufacturer (contractor) is traditionally focused on producing that which
others have defined. Using the Cyclical Iterative Concept requires a greater amount
of involvement as well as responsibility, but also gives the manufacturer a greater
chance to make a better product.
Building Manager
The management consultant is usually involved in dividing up the whole process
as mentioned above. He will usually try to determine the structure of the process
and through this control it as much as possible. This implies considering the
reality as fixed. Nonetheless, it appears that the reality is very dynamic. By
using the Cyclical Iterative Concept, the interaction between the different
summary dissertation 7
stages in the project and between the participants improves, and at the
same time becomes more manageable.

For an immaterial technology transfer

Technology transfer is usually about the application of material and techno-
logies from one discipline to another. The transfer is only material. Immaterial
technology transfer is at least as valuable and potentially much more. It is not
only about the product and processes themselves, but also about the thoughts,
insights and vision behind those processes.

For the architect as researcher

Although architects are involved in research in day-to-day practice, that research
is mostly project- and results-driven, whereby a result is sought in a limited time-
frame. There seems to be no tendency towards a written or documented body of
knowledge concerning learning processes.

Project-unrelated research could lead to a body of knowledge, not only for the
architect doing the research, but also for other architects, thus raising the profes-
sional level of the architectural profession as a whole.

As we know from our own experience, project-unrelated research can be time

consuming and therefore “budget consuming”. Only the very large architectural
practices can therefore afford it. It is perhaps the duty of these large practices
to engage in what can be called architectural research. My own PhD research
can also be considered architectural research. There is a continuous interaction
between (architectural) practice and (architectural) theory. Figure S-3 shows the
research structure.

Colofon
Practice induction
Uitgave februari 2008

Case study For more information please contact me:

dr. ir. Martin Smit
Martin W Smit Architects
Case study Valeriaanstraat 84
Case study 3765 ER Soest
T +31 (0)35 58 80 381
F +31 (0)35 60 11 497
Case study
M +31 (0)6 57 55 92 52
Case study martin.smit@mwsarchitects.com

www.mwsarchitects.com

deduction
Figuur S-3 Research Structure
ISBN: 978-90-810140-4-5
Theory
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