Role of Research in Architecture

Architecture has always been known as the product of the combination of

knowledge between the field of arts and sciences. Significantly, this also suggests
that the process of design or architectural advancement is inseparably linked with
the procurement of knowledge, or more commonly known as research. Research is the
act of investigating on a specified topic or field, in search for knowledge that is
predefined, ultimately to set up novel facts, problem solving, new ideas, and the
development of new theories which advances innovation and the improvement of
products and processes. Research enhances design practitioner’s conviction on
pursuing inspiration and analyse existing solutions to deal with similar problems.
Research is often used as a design tool that helps in the acquirement of knowledge
regarding contextual aspects and identifying and solving problems, which affects
the design process as it changes the outlook of the designer or architect when
making significant architectural design decisions. This prevents the creation of
irrelevant or irresponsible architecture which is just an idealised image which
lacks clear analysis and meaning. Hence, when research is done with rigour, the
architectural end product may be meaningful and responds to its given context.
Research may often be misinterpreted as being only the collection of knowledge of a
specific topic which is predefined by the past, however its prime focus should be
on the advancement of innovation, and advancement of products and processes, while
utilising knowledge passed down regarding a specific topic such as issues and
design solutions to certain aspects. This is to prevent cases where architectural
design is done using a system of existing methods, relying solely on knowledge from
the past which may have proven its workability in a certain context in the past,
but may not work in the current or future. Which in fact, knowledge gained from the
past should be improved and used to further advance our current knowledge for
advancement and innovation in design solutions.
An important point on architecture, is that it is not a sculpture and exceeds the
building as an object, and instead contains knowledge which may be obtained through
research. However, its to note that architecture with a good or bad design may not
necessarily mean it is good or bad research, as research in architecture is only
classified as research when new knowledge is formed such as when new design
solutions or innovations are formulated throughout the architectural design
process. Moreover, Bruce Archer’s definition in research also focuses on the need
of communicable knowledge through systematic inquiry, where knowledge is
communicated and obtained between users of several points of view, which user
specific issues are solved through architectural design systematically. Hence,
design research in architecture is only classified as research when new knowledge
is created through the process of architectural design, and through examining the
workability of said design after its completion.