Good Architecture Starts Before Design: Lessons From a Seed
Updated: Oct 27
Pre-Design Part 1:
Why Planning Matters in Architecture?
Like a tree growing from a seed, every successful building project needs strong roots. Discover why early decisions can make the biggest difference.
Everything starts with a seed. In a way, a thought is a seed of something we will do, say, or behave.
A well-nurtured seed grows into a beautiful tree; an amazing human being starts with a seed, and our creations start with a thought. It is at that point, whether we realize it or not, that we decide what kind of end result we will have. After all, it is not possible to harvest oranges from an apple tree. It is such an important step, and sometimes highly overlooked.
Continuing with the tree analogy, after nurturing and developing the seed, the roots begin to grow. They give structure and a solid base to the tree. For a house, the equivalent would be the foundations. The strength of those foundations is a big component in the future stability of any project or structure.
Both the roots and foundations are not visible once we have the product. Sure, we can excavate the property and do a foundation assessment, but they are not usually out in the open.
Sometimes we put so much attention to all the things that we see: the aesthetics, the colors, the layout, the proportions. All those aspects are very important, but without a good seed and a strong foundation, all the effort put into those visible components is just a waste.
The seed in the design process would be the Planning and concept design. Some people see the value of investing in the beginning of the project, and they are already one or several steps ahead.
Others, however, are not very familiar with the pre-design phase. In that group, I see two trends: they either seem to already know exactly what they want and want to jump to the drawing and permit production, or they are not sure of what they want, but expect to get to the result without much exploration. While either of those last two are valid approaches, they rarely produce quality results without an early assessment by a professional. It sometimes may work with small projects, but the larger and more complex the project, the stronger “roots,” or analysis, is recommended.
When we start a project, we worry about the permit, construction, and the product. We try to run as fast as possible to that stage. However, the success and well-being of a building project or a structure are hidden in the parts that are not physically exposed!
Do you want to learn more about that special hidden part in the design process?
Continue reading What is Pre-Design? to learn how pre-design helps set goals, assess constraints, and create a roadmap for the decisions ahead.
In the meantime, I will leave you with something interesting:
Do you know what the world’s tallest tree is?
The Hyperion tree, a coast redwood
In California (Sequoia sempervirens)
measures around 381 feet (115.85 m)
It was discovered in 2006 by naturalists
Chris Atkings and Michael Taylor.
It was found in a remote area of the
Redwood National and State Parks.
Every successful project begins with a clear direction.
Before committing to drawings, permits, or construction, it is worth understanding what is possible, your site capabilities, and the main project components that will shape your project.
Explore our Feasibility Studies and development map services to see how thoughtful early planning can help you move forward with confidence.
Gracias!
Citlalli
References:
-Hyperion (tree)
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Special thanks to my editor, Ilya Godes!
Citlalli is an architect and a mom who enjoys
finding the extraordinary around us and
understanding what makes each person thrive.
She believes that art, and good design should
be accessible, and her motivation is to help build
a better world for the next generations.
She has worked on residential and commercial
projects for over 20 years, and is the principal architect at Unfolding Lines Architecture in Los Angeles, California, aimed to thoughtful planning, flexible architectural services and client guidance
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