Design workshop
A design workshop is a meeting of two or more individuals who collaborate to either start or finalise a design or to make progress on overcoming an obstacle on an existing design. The outcome should be progress made and decisions taken. Alternatively, it may be a structured session that aims to impart knowledge regarding some specific aspect of design to the participants.
Design workshops are usually based on the concept that finding the best possible creative solutions can result from bringing people together. Involving various parties in a workshop can be a useful tool to further collaboration within the design team and increase stakeholder participation.
On a building project, the participants may be from a single team e.g an architectural practice or may be from a diverse range of professions such as architect, engineer, surveyor, cladding manufacturer, and other construction disciplines.
The design workshop may either be formally structured and involve the participants working through a set of pre-determined exercises, or it may be unstructured and allowed to develop in the manner of a free-flowing brainstorming session. Whichever is selected, the flow of creative ideas should be encouraged, with the outcome being some advance in the design being discussed to the satisfaction of most of the participants.
[edit] Setting up a design workshop
When setting a design workshop, the following may be considered:
- What is the theme or title of the workshop? Define the problem?
- What outcomes are desired? Ensure invitees know the aim of the workshop.
- Establish a meeting plan, which may mean dividing the time into distinct parts.
- How long is the workshop intended to last?
- Who and how many people are to be invited?
- Who will be leading the workshop?
- Who will be recording what happens?
- How to ensure all attendees contribute, rather than just the most confident / loudest.
- How to develop a consensus.
- Ensure the necessary tools are available – e.g laptops, projection devices, flip-charts, post-it notes, paper, pens etc. Make slides of the main themes/activities to be discussed.
- Invite participants, communicating the above points, sending the agenda and informing them of the time, place and expected duration of the workshop, plus any arrangements for refreshments, lunch etc.
- What are the next steps.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Appointing consultants.
- Collaborative practices.
- Consultant team start-up meeting.
- Design co-ordination.
- Design management plan.
- Design management.
- Design manager.
- Design methodology.
- Design responsibility matrix.
- Design review.
- Design review panels.
- Design team.
- Information manager.
- Lead designer.
- Specialist contractors start-up meeting.
- Team behavioural roles.
- Team management.
Featured articles and news
About the 5 Percent Club and its members
The 5% Club; a dynamic movement of employers committed to building and developing the workforce.
New Homes in New Ways at the Building Centre
Accelerating the supply of new homes with MMC.
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.