HOW MANY DESIGN DECISIONS DOES IT TAKE…?
3 DECISIONS
2,500 DECISIONS
45,000 DECISIONS
45,000,000 DECISIONS
It takes a person 3 decisions to decide the outcome of the flip of a coin!
Typically you are only given 2 decisions to make when deciding the toss of a coin; heads or tails?
But there’s always a third possibility; of the coin landing on its edge!
The odds of a coin landing on its edge are extremely low, but not impossible. While the exact probability depends on various factors like the coin's dimensions, material, and the surface it lands on.
Rough estimates suggest it's on the order of 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 flips.
TOTAL = 3 DECISIONS!
It takes an architect approx 2,500 design decisions to design a new logo!
In the design process of our new logo, we looked at a wide range of considerations and the decisions we made to resolve each one.
1. Typography: Ensuring the logo is easy to read at all sizes and distances and creating unique letter modifications for distinctiveness = 400 decisions.
2. Colour palette: Balancing colours for maximum impact and readability and ensuring the colours look good in both digital and print formats = 300 decisions.
3. Brand Identity: Designing a logo that differentiates our brand from competitors = 800 decisions.
4. Composition: Arranging the elements to create a balanced and visually appealing design and ensuring the logo works well at different sizes, from business cards to billboards = 700 decisions.
5. Versatility and scalability: Ensuring the logo works well in different sizes and contexts (digital, print, etc.). Developing alternate versions for use on different backgrounds (e.g., black and white, light and dark) = 300 decisions.
TOTAL = 2,500 DECISIONS!
It takes an architect approx 45,000 decisions to design a new one-off home!
A breakdown of our design decisions for the design of Hill House;
1. Site and orientation: Considering the land's topography, views, sun path, and climate to optimise the house's placement and layout. A critical part of the Passive House design strategy = 5,000 decisions.
2. Space planning and layout: Determining room sizes, arrangements, and flow to meet functional needs, lifestyle preferences and to ensure that the plan is as efficient as possible = 3,500 decisions.
3. Budget constraints: Balancing design aspirations with financial limitations to create a feasible project. A key part of any successful design project that we carefully consider from the beginning = 6,000 decisions.
4. Future adaptability: Designing with potential future needs in mind, such as aging-in-place considerations or possible expansions. We ensure that any future adaptions are considered early so they can be easily included in the design = 1,500 decisions.
5. Energy efficiency: Incorporating the Passive House 5 key design criteria into the early stage design. Including; super insulation to minimise heat loss, airtight detailing to prevent heat loss and moisture issues, triple glazed windows and doors to reduce heat loss, thermal bridge-free design to prevent heat loss through building components and MVHR - mechanical ventilation with heat recovery proving a constant supply of fresh and filtered air = 6,500 decisions.
6. Architectural style: Deciding on the overall aesthetic and design approach, whether modern, traditional, or a blend of styles. We believe a blend of ‘form follows function’ and beautiful materials can provide you with the home of your dreams = 4,000 decisions.
7. Building services: We consider sustainable design solutions early in the design process, including; water conservation, the use of highly efficient MVHR and domestic hot water solutions using heat pump technology = 3,000 decisions.
8. Structural considerations: We work closely with the structural engineer to provide a design is structurally efficient, including foundations, framing, and all load-bearing elements = 2,000 decisions.
9. Materials selection: Choosing beautiful materials for durability, aesthetics, sustainability, and budget considerations. We design buildings that are as maintenance free as possible = 5,500 decisions.
10. Building regulations: We ensure compliance with all local building regulations, and we work closely with Building Control to ensure a smooth and defect free finished building = 8,000 decisions.
TOTAL = 45,000 DECISIONS!
This is how many design decisions we estimate we make during the entire process of a building project, from inception through to completion.
There may be some who might have a different opinion with us and say that they can design a building without having to take as many decisions. But we would disagree.
We have developed a rigorous design process that not only produces the most efficient building layout and form to achieve the Passive House standard, but also a process that considers your needs and requirements with every decision we make. We don’t stop until you are completely happy with the design.
Your most important decision to achieving the home of your dreams is the choice of your architect.
In your shortlist of three potential architects, don’t leave your decision to the flip of a coin, instead ask your potential architects how many design decisions they make in a typical one-off house.
It takes a lot of very clever people approx 45,000,000 decisions to design a space station!
Designing a space station involves an enormous number of design decisions across many different areas. In a design process that would span decades and involve contributions from multiple space agencies and many countless engineers and scientists.
A space station is one of the most complex engineering projects ever undertaken, and involves the following approximate decisions;
1. Overall structure and assembly sequence = 3,500,000 decisions.
2. Power systems = 500,000 decisions.
3. Life support systems = 3,000,000 decisions.
4. Communication systems = 1,000,000 decisions.
5. Propulsion and attitude control = 3,500,000 decisions.
6. Thermal management = 1,500,000 decisions.
7. Radiation shielding = 2,000,000 decisions.
8. Scientific equipment and research facilities = 11,000,000 decisions.
9. Docking mechanisms = 4,000,000 decisions.
10. Safety systems = 12,500,000 decisions.
11. Living quarters and crew amenities = 2,500,000 decisions.
TOTAL = 45,000,000 DECISIONS!