International design firm Perkins Eastman and EwingCole announced the release of their new joint white paper “Where Are We Now?: Elevating Design Practice through Design Research.” The paper is co-authored by Emily Chmielewski, EDAC, Associate and Senior Design Researcher at Perkins Eastman, and Nicholas Watkins, Ph.D., Director of Research at EwingCole.
The paper takes an in-depth look at the current state of the design research field, dissects the many challenges researchers face, and contemplates broad solutions for advancing the practice of design research for the overall betterment of the architectural design field.
In March 2016, the Perkins Eastman and EwingCole research teams, led by Chmielewski and Watkins, developed and instituted a comprehensive online survey of 29 questions, in partnership with the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA). The survey was available online for three weeks and was completed by a mix of students, educators, designers, and design research professionals. The results of that survey were then presented at the 47th Annual EDRA Conference (EDRA47), in Raleigh, NC.
The value of credibility of design research, research methods, and knowledge, sharing, and sustainability of design research in practice are a few of the topics the survey’s questions focused on.
At EDRA47, the teams engaged in conversation with various conference attendees about the many challenges related to conducting design research as well as solutions for promoting the incorporation of design research in design delivery. The survey’s findings, combined with input from the EDRA conference, informed the content produced for “Where Are We Now?”
According to Watkins, “A key challenge for all researchers in practice is to communicate our studies’ findings in such a way that attracts the attention of designers and clients, as well as conveys insights that can effectively impact the design industry. One of our intentions in writing this paper was to help our industry peers in tackling those challenges, and consequently, finding more receptive audiences for their important work.”
The entire white paper is available for free download at www.perkinseastman.com/white_papers and EwingCole - Where Are We Now Whitepaper.
Related Stories
| Nov 5, 2013
Oakland University’s Human Health Building first LEED Platinum university building in Michigan [slideshow]
Built on the former site of a parking lot and an untended natural wetland, the 160,260-sf, five-story, terra cotta-clad building features some of the industry’s most innovative, energy-efficient building systems and advanced sustainable design features.
| Nov 4, 2013
Architecture and engineering industry outlook remains positive on all major indicators
While still below pre-recession levels, all of the key indicators in the latest Quarterly Market Forecast (QMF) report from PSMJ Resources remain in positive territory.
| Nov 1, 2013
CBRE Group enhances healthcare platform with acquisition of KLMK Group
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG) today announced that it has acquired KLMK Group, a leading provider of facility consulting, project advisory and facility activation solutions to the healthcare industry.
| Oct 31, 2013
74 years later, Frank Lloyd Wright structure built at Florida Southern College
The Lakeland, Fla., college adds to its collection of FLW buildings with the completion of the Usonian house, designed by the famed architect in 1939, but never built—until now.
| Oct 31, 2013
CBRE's bold experiment: 200-person office with no assigned desks [slideshow]
In an effort to reduce rent costs, real estate brokerage firm CBRE created its first completely "untethered" office in Los Angeles, where assigned desks and offices are replaced with flexible workspaces.
| Oct 30, 2013
15 stellar historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovation projects
The winners of the 2013 Reconstruction Awards showcase the best work of distinguished Building Teams, encompassing historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovations and additions.
| Oct 30, 2013
Why are companies forcing people back to the office?
For a while now companies have been advised that flexibility is a key component to a successful workplace strategy, with remote working being a big consideration. But some argue that we’ve moved the needle too far toward a “work anywhere” culture.
| Oct 30, 2013
Metal roof design tips: The devil is in the details
This AIA/CES-approved presentation provides information regarding proper design to prevent possible infiltration from the roof system into the building. It also works as a guide when designing a roof to allow for proper water runoff.
| Oct 30, 2013
Steven Holl selected for Culture and Art Center in Qingdao, besting Zaha Hadid, OMA
Steven Holl Architects has been selected by near unanimous jury decision as the winner of the new Culture and Art Center of Qingdao City competition, besting OMA and Zaha Hadid Architects. The 2 million-sf project for four museums is the heart of the new extension of Qingdao, China, planned for a population of 700,000.
| Oct 30, 2013
11 hot BIM/VDC topics for 2013
If you like to geek out on building information modeling and virtual design and construction, you should enjoy this overview of the top BIM/VDC topics.
