Architectural design is an elaboration that organizes the whole idea of an investment and gives it a concrete spatial form. It is at this stage that the vision of the building is formed, its scale, proportions and the way it functions in everyday use. The architectural design translates the needs of the investor, the possibilities of the plot and the formal conditions into a coherent concept that allows you to understand what a given object is to be and how it is supposed to function as a whole. It is not just about appearance, but about a conscious combination of function, aesthetics and relationship with the environment.
The scope of the architectural design primarily includes the functional layout of the building, the layout of the rooms, their mutual relations and basic spatial solutions. The architect determines the mass, the directions of the openings, the way the interiors are illuminated and the connection of the building with the plot and the neighborhood. At this stage, decisions are made that most affect the comfort of use, the possibility of subsequent changes and the reception of the architecture in the long term. The architectural design allows the investor to assess whether the proposed solutions correspond to his lifestyle and expectations before the project is fixed in the formal documentation. An important difference between an architectural project and a building project is their purpose. Architectural design primarily serves to develop a concept and design direction. A construction project, on the other hand, is a document required for administrative procedures and includes elements imposed by regulations, such as a land development project, statements, technical descriptions and industry agreements. Although the architectural part is an important component, the construction project focuses on meeting formal requirements and not on developing a spatial idea.
An executive project, which is created for the implementation of the investment, has an even different character. Its task is to clarify the solutions adopted earlier, through detailed drawings, details and information necessary at the construction stage. The executive design answers the question “how exactly to do what was designed”, while the architectural design explains “why a building is supposed to look and function a certain way.” Architectural design is therefore the starting point for the entire design process. It is on it that the subsequent construction and execution design is based, and the quality of this stage determines the consistency of further developments. A well-prepared architectural project reduces the risk of accidental decisions, facilitates communication between the investor and the architect and allows the subsequent stages of the project to be carried out in a conscious and orderly manner.
