Rationality and creativity interplay in research by design as seen from the inside

Abstract

While research by design is critical in the development of architecture and design knowledge, there is still a need to deeply understand the design knowledge about the interplay between rationality and creativity in research-by-design projects. This paper attempts to address this issue by illustrating, rather than conceptualising, the inside process of a research by design project. The inside process will be discussed from three different points of view: (1) research or design interest tendency, (2) the performance of reflective attitude, and (3) a combination of views (1) and (2). The study resulted in an illustration of the interplay that suggests a dynamic forward-backwards act of thinking and making of a research-by-design project.