Schematic Design - The Devil’s in the Details!
This article summarises the content of David Debouverie’s NextGen Showcase presentation on schematic design, from 22nd January 2024.
This educational session was brought to us by David Debouverie, Head of Design - Senior Associate at P+A Projects Pte Ltd . As NextGen Showcase participants began the final phase of their educational project, he led them through the schematic design process.
David starts by explaining that in order to understand what is schematic design you need to have an understanding of the entire design process: detail design, storytelling and concept; all of which feed into each other.
Schematic design: a step in a continuous process. Source: P+A projects
David takes participants through the example of the schematic design of a car. This would start with a client pitch followed by a rough concept design, which allows for some level of interpretation. Schematic design is where proportions and elements are presented. At this point, the designs are recognisable as your idea. In the developed design phase, the inside of the car is shown in more detail. The idea here is that someone could take this and build from it. Show drawings and construction drawings come last, and are very detailed as they lead into the “as built” stage. This may include some slight amendments to the original plan which come into play in the physical creation of the design.
Incrementation of details in the design process, Source: P+A projects
These phases are important, as by starting with a concept and developing it closely with the client, the best product can be created. A linear plan can be communicated to the client and act as a guide for the designer.
David then gives us another example - in the form of a birthday party! In that case, the client would provide us with the number of children and the theme. This helps to inform the concept, and means we can decide on the facility; in this case, the location for the party. There may be an indoor and outdoor area, and space is needed for all the activities at the party. These can be drawn onto a room plan, and from there, the design phase begins
For a birthday party, the element list would include items like cake, chairs and balloons. With this knowledge, more detailed drawings can be provided, such as to finalise the design of the birthday cake. It is not too detailed, but some details have been added. This needs to be communicated back to the client, through renderings and illustrations.
Start the Schematic Design of your Birthday Party, Source: P+A Projects
David then shows us the difference between three drawings and three different stages, from concept, to schematic design where some details have been added, through to detailed design, which is a more thorough presentation of the concept. These can be interpreted across all teams, from lighting to engineering.
In the example of the birthday cake, the detailed design would include the element list and coordination with vendors. For specific elements such as icing, additionally detailed drawings would be produced.
David then listed a few crucial considerations that are too often overlooked in early design phases.
Firstly:
“One of the most important considerations is the guest experience: how they’ll travel through the attraction and what you want them to see along the way.”
Operations also need to be considered, by thinking about the placement of facilities around the attraction and how this can be designed for optimal efficiency for staff members working at the attraction.
Sustainability considerations cannot be ignored; they need to be planned early, as such choices can impact the budget. Accessibility is also a key component, which needs to be carefully considered at an early stage, in addition to fire safety elements and maintenance. Finally, when designing the ride vehicles, the reach envelope is important to be aware of, ensuring that guests can’t reach anything on the ride path which they shouldn’t touch.
Timing, scheduling, logic and communication are all important in these design phases to ensure that a great final project is delivered to your client. David reiterates that it is important not to jump straight into the detail, but to take time to layer in the detail at each step as appropriate.
David concluded by discussing the blurring boundaries between each stage, as a result of new tools including game engines, more advanced BIM software, and AI tools. Increased automation allows the designer more time to focus on the creative aspects of the design phase. For example, if a room needs a certain window and it has not been added to the design, a software package could flag this up automatically. With emerging technology, the timing of these phases are shifting – however they remain just as fundamental to the design process.
We at NextGen Showcase would like to express our gratitude to David Debouverie for his contributions to our Educational Program. Thank you!
For more information on the NextGen Showcase Educational Program, go to: NextGenShowcase.com
This article was written by NextGen Showcase Alumni: Dr. Emily Budzynski-Seymour, with support from our Editor, Rosie Willoughby.
All images courtesy of P+A Projects / David Debouverie, apart from the Cover Image, which is courtesy of ‘Travel Life Magazine’: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSPOdLJrFvI/VSXw5Bjd-KI/AAAAAAAA0WU/wSM_1sHLF_4/s1600/Finally!%2BAfter%2Bseeing%2Bso%2Bmany%2Blocal%2Btreasures%2C%2Bhe%E2%80%99s%2Bmade%2Bit%2Bto%2BUniversal%2BStudios%2BSingapore%2C%2Bwhere%2Byou%2Bcan%2Bsee%2Bhim%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bclaw-some%2Bnew%2Bride%2B%E2%80%93%2BPuss%2BIn%2BBoots%2BGiant%2BJourney!.jpeg
