How to Create Better Architecture Concept Presentations
Introduction
Architectural concept presentations are an essential tool for conveying design ideas, winning clients, and gaining project approvals.
A well-prepared presentation showcases your creativity and ensures that your audience understands the vision behind your design.
In this article, we will explore proven strategies for crafting impactful presentations that captivate and persuade.
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Summary of How to Create Better Architectural Concept Presentations
Concept sketching
Concept models
Material tests
Architectural collages
Mood boards
Schematic diagrams
1. Concept sketching
Concept sketching is used to explore initial design ideas and is used as a visual communication tool.
Quick sketches record initial reactions to the project site or brief, illustrating the form and spatial arrangement of a concept design to stakeholders.
Concepts are developed through layering sketches, gradually refining spatial qualities, proportion, scale and form.
2. Concept models
Early concept models should focus on creating the basic geometry of an architectural design through exploring fundamental articulation of form and spatial relationships.
The exploration of basic geometry will define the overall form of a concept. Low-tech materials allow for fast, low-budget testing of multiple concept models.
Architecture concept models should be scaled larger than a massing model to provide the opportunity for detail. Modelling with the intent of being a stand-alone object away from context, hinting at detail and material intent.
3. Material tests
Physical material tests demonstrate an investigation into material selection by testing and comparing properties, finishes and production processes.
Producing a range of tests allows for informed material proposals, demonstrating thorough investigation and documentation.
Material tests in conjunction with concept models showcase the investigation and concept development process for a portfolio or to stakeholders.
4. Architectural Collages
Architectural collages consist of concept sketches or photographed models cut out and stitched onto a site photo. This method creates a visual scene representing the concept in context.
Paint, markers and texture paper can be an informative method of heightening the sense of atmosphere within a scene.
This process allows for a quick production of multiple mock-up views created with printouts or image manipulation software.
Architectural collages are an effective way of conducting design exploration and conveying initial ideas during concept development.
5. Mood boards
Mood boards are widely used in interior architecture to outline the concept intent by combining examples of materials, finishes, detailing, colour, texture and case studies onto a physical or digital ‘board.’
Mood boards are an effective visual communication tool that inspires the development of an architectural concept and demonstrates initial design ideas to stakeholders and collaborators.
6. Schematic diagrams
Schematic diagrams such as bubble diagrams are used to visualise the relationship between spaces for an architectural concept.
Schematic diagrams set out the hierarchy of space before designing any architectural detail. Visualising the interconnectivity of space, relationship of scale, placement, and occupation.
These architectural diagrams outline blueprints to inform initial architectural design and are crucial to facilitate communication among stakeholders.
Conclusion
A successful architecture concept presentation conveys the design process simply and clearly. Using low-format techniques such as sketching, collages, schematic diagrams, and mood boards, architects can quickly produce multiple visual aids to communicate conceptual designs to stakeholders and clients.
What else would you do to create better Architecture concept presentations?
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