Architectural Research Methods 2ND EDITION

A practical guide to research for architects and designers-now updated and expanded!

From searching for the best glass to prevent glare to determining how clients might react to the color choice for restaurant walls, research is a crucial tool that architects must master in order to effectively address the technical, aesthetic, and behavioral issues that arise in their work.

This book's unique coverage of research methods is specifically targeted to help professional designers and researchers better conduct and understand research. Part I explores basic research issues and concepts, and includes chapters on relating theory to method and design to research. Part II gives a comprehensive treatment of specific strategies for investigating built forms. In all, the book covers seven types of research, including historical, qualitative, correlational, experimental, simulation, logical argumentation, and case studies and mixed methods.

Features new to this edition include:
* Strategies for investigation, practical examples, and resources for additional information
* A look at current trends and innovations in research
* Coverage of design studio-based research that shows how strategies described in the book can be employed in real life
* A discussion of digital media and online research
* New and updated examples of research studies
* A new chapter on the relationship between design and research

Architectural Research Methods is an essential reference for architecture students and researchers as well as architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and building product manufacturers.

This introductory guide for anyone wishing to conduct research on an aspect of the built environment comprehensively addresses the full range of research methods  available.  From a building component to a room, a building, a neighborhood, or an urban center, Architectural Research Methods employs real-life examples of how good research can be used, from project inception to completion. Completely revised throughout, this standard text on the topic looks at current trends and innovations in research, and discusses interdiscinary involvement with design/build, sustainability and policy, urban design, prodcut design, and product. systems.  New coverage of design studio-based research will show how the strategies described in the book can be employed in that context, and new discussion of the use of digital media to help frame the scope of ones research.