Behind the Scenes: The Importance of Creativity and Iteration in Design
Every ‘building’ project begins with a spark of creativity and evolves through a process of thoughtful design iteration. Great design isn’t born in a vacuum; it’s shaped by questioning, exploration, experimentation and a commitment to refining ideas until they resonate with purpose and impact. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how creativity and iteration come to life in our work.
Ideation – Questioning the ‘Problem’ Until it is Fully Understood
All building (spatial and product) design begins with a perceived set of issues, needs, or problems to resolve: our company is growing – we need more space for ‘x’; our mission is hampered by our derelict building – we need to set ourselves up for success for decades to come; our work process is inefficient – we need to re-organize ourselves so our people can work efficiently and prosper in their work environment. Ideation begins with empathy and questions. Many ideas will be considered from multiple viewpoints with the pros and cons of each idea articulated. From this process of inquiry and information gathering, a set of design solutions will begin to be articulated; a Program, consisting of Qualitative & Quantitative requirements and Project Success Metrics, is articulated as to what is to be designed.
From Sketch to Structure: Where Creativity Begins
Every design solution starts with an idea or an inspirational reference point; a piece of music, a concept, a value or community goal… and is then captured via a sketch — a quick, raw idea translated onto paper. These initial sketches capture the essence of a concept, but they’re far from finished products. They’re the seeds from which a building project grows. Growing out of the initial Ideation, we encourage our team to explore freely in this stage, letting imagination lead the way. Sketches capture our ideas, allowing them to be interrogated or question regarding their suitability.
Take, for example, our recent UofL project focused on creating a community hub for students. Early sketches were a flurry of ideas, experimenting with shapes, spatial relationships and how people might interact with the space. We went back to the original 1968 drawings to see how the space was initially conceived to be used. From this early inspiration, multiple rough sketches were created illustrating different ways to create community gathering space within the strict confines of the existing building.
Iteration: Refining and Reimagining
Once the seed of an idea takes root, iteration begins. This phase is where design truly comes to life. We test, revise, and reimagine — pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while staying true to the project’s purpose, and in the case of our community hub, the existing building conditions (Adaptive Reuse!).
In our studio, iteration takes many forms. We move from pencil sketches to digital renderings, exploring different materials, layouts and aesthetics. Feedback from collaborators and stakeholders fuels this process, ensuring the design evolves with fresh perspectives. We ask questions to uncover challenges that sometimes our clients didn't even know they had or could foresee, and then work to solve problems in a way that provides flexibility for future adaptations in the coming decades.
Prototyping: Making Ideas Tangible
At SNDBX, we believe in the power of quickly ‘prototyping’. Creating tangible models or images allows us to see, touch and interact with our designs in new ways. One of our favorite tools is 3D printing. Watching a concept materialize layer by layer is as inspiring as it is insightful.
And it goes even further. A 3D model also provides the ability to study how natural light moves through the space at different times of day. It allows us to test structural integrity, explore material choices and visualize spatial dynamics from different angles. The insights gained from these exercises help us fine-tune window placements, optimize the building’s orientation for energy efficiency and enhance the overall user experience.
Creativity Meets Collaboration
Behind every successful design is a collaborative process. At SNDBX, creativity isn’t limited to designers — it’s a collective effort. From architects and engineers, vendors, contractors, to our clients and community stakeholders, everyone’s input shapes the final result. By embracing diverse perspectives, we create designs that are not only innovative but also deeply connected to the needs of the people they serve.
Making ‘The Drawings’
Lastly, we create ‘The Drawings’; the ‘deliverable’ or the Contract Documents (CD’s)! This set of drawings and specifications capture the many thousands of design decisions that are made along the way. The Drawings are a result of the Design Process, not its goal per se; though they do take the most time to detail and produce! This deliverable is what everyone knows of as ‘The Plans’; they are used for pricing, permitting, and often for securing funds.
Bringing It All Together
The journey from sketch to final design is rarely linear. It’s a dynamic process filled with twists, turns and moments of discovery. Creativity and iteration are the heart of this journey, allowing us to transform bold ideas into meaningful, impactful spaces.