Talking Architecture: Language and Its Roles in the Architectural Design Process

Abstract

Architects use language intensively along the design process. Students are often asked to talk about their concepts, which sets the verbal language as the main tool used by students for communicating information, in spite of the fact that the architectural act is conceived as visual/spatial. The study challenges the notion that language is inferior compared to visual representation, and places the verbal expression as an essential part of the design process. The study follows archi-tecture students, whose verbal concepts during one semester were mapped in terms of consistency, variability and development. A correlation was found between the percentage of evolving concepts in the process and the final studio grade. Ana-lyzing semantic networks of design processes showed a higher number of links between concepts for students with higher grades, supporting the argument that language has an important role alongside graphic products in the architectural studio.