From Intuition to Inquiry: Reframing Architecture’s Role in Design Research

Design as a discipline has evolved significantly since the early 20th century. While architecture played a pivotal role in the early development of Design Research (DR), its focus on intuition and subjective processes gradually distanced it from the systematized methodologies of the broader DR community. This divergence has left architecture underrepresented in contemporary design discourse, despite its foundational contributions. This article revisits the historical intersections of architecture and DR, proposing a quest for a renewed methodological framework for Architectural Design Research (ADR) that does not ignore the subjective/artistic factor of Architecture. By mapping the evolution of DR, from the Bauhaus and Ulm schools to the present, proposing a critical review of strongly rooted standards such as Wicked Problems and the universal scope of design, and taking on board potentially architecture-matching directions like Donald Schön’s Reflection in Action and Jane Darke’s Primary Generators, this study identifies critical points where architecture can reengage with Design Research. The goal is to establish ADR as a distinct yet integrated domain that embraces both reflective practice and structured inquiry, thus enriching the landscape of Design Research for the challenges of the 21st century.

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