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Architect

A person trained in the planning, design and management of the construction of buildings and spaces. A person must be registered to practise architecture.

Built environment

The human-made surroundings that provide places for human activity, ranging in scale from personal shelter to large-scale civic surroundings.

Communicate

Convey information using a variety of means. This can be done verbally and/or visually and must be clear to the intended audience.

Consequences and impacts

The effect of a process or solution on people or the environment. The benefits and costs to all stakeholders need to be considered for the short and long term.

Criteria for success

A negotiated list of what the solution must do to be acceptable to the users and the client. The criteria guide development decisions and provide a framework for evaluation at all stages of the process. They are a measure against which the success of a solution may be judged.

Design brief

A concise statement describing the task and defining the need or opportunity to be resolved. A design brief identifies the users, the criteria for success, the possible consequences and impacts, the constraints and available resources and the timeframe for the project.

Development proposal

A proposed solution to a design brief presented in the form of drawings, photos, sample materials and/or a multimedia presentation. Models are sometimes produced as a means of communicating details of the solution but are not essential. A development proposal should include all information required by an authority to approve the implementation of the development.

Dimensions

Measurements added to drawings to communicate sizes and proportions.

Limitations and constraints

The non-negotiable parameters or boundaries that the designer must work within.

Model

A physical representation of a built environment made to scale. Models can be used to analyse a situation and identify the needs of the people who use it. They can help designers appreciate how spaces are used and identify potential problems that may arise from the interaction of different users.

Orthogonal drawing

A system of drawing intended to accurately communicate the size and form of a development to those involved in approval and construction. Orthogonal drawings are presented as an arrangement of front views (elevations), top views (plans) and side views (end elevations). Dimensions are added to each view to indicate size.

Panorama

A series of overlapping photos that are stitched together in graphics software using a process called photomerge. A larger image containing more detail can be produced using this process.

Photomontage

A collection of photographs or images to show what a development, or part of a development may look like. Images are usually obtained from buildings or features that may be similar to the one being proposed.

Pictorial drawing

A drawing of an object as it would be seen by an observer, that is, drawn as a picture. Pictorial drawings are usually made from a point of view selected to show important features.

Presentation

A formal talk used to explain or argue for a development proposal. Effective presentations provide key information in a short and usually specified period of time and often use visual aids. In a presentation it is most important to provide all information necessary for those with authority to make decisions.

Public space

An area or place that is open and accessible to all. Most streets shopping centres and parks, are considered a public spaces. Government buildings, such as public libraries and many other similar buildings are also public spaces. Although not typically considered public space, privately owned buildings whose walls and gardens face streets also influence the public visual landscape.

Site

A place where a development is to occur. A site is defined by specific boundaries. A development proposal will usually include a site plan with a description of features of the site that may influence the development.

Scale

A ratio of the relative size of a drawing or model to the real thing. For example, 1:1 scale would be a life size drawing or model, whereas, 1:10 scale would be one tenth of the actual size.

Services

Systems in the built environment that are used to provide for particular needs, for example, electricity, communication, water, waste collection.

Sustainable design

An approach to design that aims to reduce our ecological footprint while simultaneously meeting peoples’ needs.