The design practices of architects in relation to the models of design: Analysis-synthesis and conjecture-analysis

Architectural design is understood to operate within two models, Analysis-Synthesis (AS) and Conjecture-Analysis (CA) conventionally referred to as the rational and intuitive methods. Conceptually the models seem viable but in practice lack the richness and complexity associated with architectural design. This study examines the design processes of 12 men and women architects chosen from a variety of practices in nine locations. Ethnographic methods were used for data collection. Data were content analyzed comparing the processes of practicing architectural designers against the two models. Findings indicate that architectural design is more complex than the models AS and CA represent. Architectural design is more accurately represented the aspects of continuity, anticipation of unpredictability and explicit involvement of others as part of the process are taken into consideration.