Inventive Methods in Conceptual Architectural Design

Abstract

In architectural design, the conceptual phase is of particular importance, as it plays a crucial role in achieving ambitious goals and creating valuable design concepts. Due to the ongoing automation of design processes and the dynamic development of artificial intelligence, architects are beginning to compete with generative AI. In this competition, creativity remains the primary human advantage. This article seeks to answer the following question: how can the creative competence of designers be enhanced during the architectural design process? The aim of the research presented in this paper was to examine the usefulness of selected inventive methods in educating architecture students by enhancing their creative competence during conceptual architectural design. The research, which was conducted during the architectural creative process, took the form of a didactic experiment. Statistical methods, tables, and charts were used to present the results of these studies. The results of the conducted research indicate that, for the majority of participating architecture students, the analyzed inventive methods proved useful in enhancing their creative competence—particularly in terms of fluency, flexibility, and originality. To increase the competitiveness of future architects, their professional education can be directed toward strengthening creative abilities, for instance, through the inventive methods analyzed in this research.