The Creative process : an examination of some selected theories and their relevance to architectural design process

Abstract

Architectural education places much emphasis on creativity in the architectural design process. This is because creativity in the designer is necessary to produce "good" architecture. But it has become increasingly apparent that there is a lack of creativity in architectural design. Therefore, "good" architecture is not easily forthcoming in contemporary architecture. Because of this lack of creativity most of the buildings end up without innovating novelty and become respective and less interesting. People experience architecture looking for a feeling of novelty and intellect and sensory stimulation. This is the responsibility and role of all architects. In the absence of such stimulation certain faculties of man may atrophy reducing man to an animal. It is generally accepted that every man has creative ability. But most of them do not know how to use this ability. Walter Gropius (1970) says that, ".. Every healthy human being is capable of creating form. The problem seem to me not at all one of existence of creative ability but one of finding the way to releasing it". Therefore, on of the main reasons for this lack of creativity is the design in Architecture of understanding about the process of creativity. As to the Bryan Lawson,"Creativity is not just skill or talent but is also related to context; the situation within which the person perceives the problem and performs the process." There is not any systematic approach about process of creativity in architectural design. Therefore an individual designer has not a clear understanding about the process of creativity in architectural design and because of that he is confused in his designs. This lack of understanding about the process of creativity has resulted in the design process becoming wholly logical and scientific often justified by the many theories about creativity that is available. This has led to to a great deal of confusion; and a failure on the part of individual designer to develop an individualized or personalized means, in their design activity.