How To Think Like An Architect: The Design Process

Santa Barbara architect Barry Berkus takes us through the process he used to design the Padaro Lane Residence in Southern California. He demonstrates his conceptual design process through a series of raw drawings and diagrams, along with a detailed explanation of the site conditions, and client needs. This preliminary diagramming stage is a necessary first step in creating a functional, and well thought out design.
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[@oddawajminick]

I am now like "WOW!". I am a architecture student in Polish academy. For 4 years of my education no one show me this mental proces so clean. This is what make difrence between architect and engineer. This is how to make home with soul.

[@chaidle]

What do you do in 2020

[@oddawajminick]

@@chaidle Architecture. Organization of projects and teams. Coordination. Plus sometimes solving projects noone wants to take.

[@chaidle]

@@oddawajminick good. I am a filmmaker once dreamed to be an Architect. Recently I started drawing daily and formal things like leaf, garden, furniture, mediocre architecture to do my project one day with my money. I hope you run to your goal. Did you study in Poland?

[@chaidle]

@@oddawajminick hey, I am searching about Polish architecture, and I realized that Poland film poster once was the best in the world. And the renowned Kieslowski was inarguable genius one day. Can you get me some of your country's secret?

[@oddawajminick]

@@chaidle Well Poland was under occupation for over 150 years. We had to choose between forgetting our national personality or move around censorship. Mostly under soviet occupation. Most of people choose that second option. Thanks to that polish people developed their own way of thinking based of facts.Not on propaganda. We were more focused on observation. On reading all details. What is first part. Recipient. Second part was an artist. Which could work for government. And if He did He have basically everything for free. So artists on that side make mostly bad work. And You have artist who try work against propaganda. That group need to spend much more effort and time on making work. Without government help and to put details which change meaning of art. That is basically biggest difference between polish art from that time and art on "west site".To work under big pressure and to put that a bit of salt on eye of propaganda. Oh and We had great artists full of hope grown on times beetween WW. They were full of passion and will to make country better. They where great teachers for 50s+ generations. Ps. You should watch polish movies from that time. Almoust all have hidden meaning which criticised socjalizm, government and reality of that time. But it could be hard to see if You done grow in that time.

[@artenstien7100]

R.I.P He's a great tutor even after his passing.

[@brandonnewman9454]

Ahmed Slaibi rest in peace brother ❤️

[@mcnemo2000]

This video was done retrospectively, so the design appears to come out in a very fluid manner, as any architect knows, this is rarely how it happens, usually you produce option after option. But the process each time is still the same.

[@archawb]

He's actually the reason i became an architect

[@jakobgudmund8197]

im gonna study architecture because of him!!

[@liangchristina7919]

Do you need to see a lot of houses to grow interests?

[@chaidle]

In terms of this clip, is a study of climate a key to make an house? Sun move.

[@k7hayr]

@@chaidle understanding the sunlight and shadows surely allows you to use it to your advantage. It allows you to understand and decide whether you want to expose the sun light at a particular place or shade against it. It also can dictate the orientation of your building to achieve the best possible thermal performance. Wind is another thing to understand and material choice. Site analysis is highly important before starting any project.

[@michaelangelonavia1471]

Cheers! He is my inspiration too 😊

[@coryglanton3380]

This is literally one of the best and easiest to understand residential architecture videos I've ever seen. What an amazing teacher!

[@raytune42]

People, this is exactly the way it works and this is a good example to show young students about how an architect designs and creates something from nothing. This shows the seed of an idea and how it develops. You have to start somewhere. You should disregard the comments below of the people who have a poverty of imagination and an abundance of ignorance There are those who dream and dare to fail and those who dig ditches.

[@acmulhern]

how refreshing to have an architect who is not afraid to explain how he thinks and by doing so help the future generation in catching up. thanks for posting

[@christophermoody1448]

I've watched this video, and his others, many times. With this video, what Barry is talking about is something that all architects at all levels find not only to be the most challenging, but the most necessary part of the entire process. That process is concept development. The use of bubble diagrams is a simplified approach. But then again, that is exactly the point. Architecture is complicated. The goal is to keep it simple. That is exactly what Barry Berkus does.

[@beauruutz]

Sorry to hear that Barry has passed away, but I know his legacy will live on through his teachings and design. Thank you Sir.

[@A_J___]

I quit architecture school 10 years ago. A couple days ago I finished my first school year BACK in school as an architecture grad student after all that time away. All that time. I didn't really have time to understand what I was doing this past school year because it was go, go,go, produce, produce, produce. This summer break, part of my plan is to slowly, calmly, and intentionally review all my lessons, read books, watch tutorials, look at architecture student portfolios online and try to understand them, look at firm websites, blogs, assign myself some practice projects, and really gain a better understanding of all this and come back next semester stronger!

[@radwi69]

Hats off sir, so Sad that I came upon your channel after you had passed away, R.I.P. :(

[@mahsooquepc3779]

I am a designer from India in Kerala. I must say I really enjoy your video. architecture is solving problems,and understanding the earth direction with client purpose. its delivering good design and good solution.

[@prernaprerna4028]

Which university???..

[@acmulhern]

I'm graduating as an arch student this year and you won't believe how much this video has helped me, keeping my design on track and continuing to question my ideas. Thank you so much for posting

[@fabiananthony7119]

I am so inspired, this man obviously shares a passion and a love for what he does, in a way that i visualize myself in the future

[@linixvictor9025]

shut the fuck up

[@jomarchristopherseno8116]

hi it's five years since you left this comment. How are you now?

[@Serta0]

Barry. Thank you for keeping us all looking good! Been following you and your work since my days with Larry Salkin's group in the early 80's! Nice to see you relaxed and sticking to the 'program'. Nice work.

[@stefanotordiglione]

Love the first steps when creating a house... Is the best creative moment... I totally connect with the approach to my projects

[@princedhewa]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. I am an Civil Engineer but I always wanted to study architecture as soon as I graduated. But family loans and bills has always been a barrier to my love of architecture. So when I decided to learn architecture I never find anything worth to invest time for. But this is what I've been waiting. Thank you so much sir. :)

[@mariajulietaperezcarattoni2823]

you really inspire me, Barry. I'm studying architecture and i'm so happy to know that you've been such a inspiration for me .Greetings from Argentina

[@nethulvithanage894]

Good luck!

[@_sparrowhawk]

Amazing - I watched this back in 2014, and was amazing by his presentation and process. RIP my friend.

[@philthyr1]

Of bless u berry rip and thanks for all the advice to becoming a successful architect

[@potatosarenice3286]

Just from this video it has actually shown me a different perspective to designing and i will definitely take this video in and will definitely include this into my work on designing.

[@kummer45]

This video, exactly this simple video is revealing in every sense. He opens his design with a bubble diagram and a proximity relational matrix of spaces. His way of thinking is transparent. This shows how mature is thought process is.

[@BCinstaTes]

Love hearing different Design Processes

[@mansardmanor3869]

As a Real Estate Flipper, thanks for adjusting my vision, improving & modernizing RE structures.

[@Mssparkles136]

This is so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to do this to help us students out :)

[@skratulla]

I'm constantly beeing bothered at architecture school because I sketch horribly, but I love what I do and overall I think that's the most important thing an architect should keep in mind. I swear to everything that is sacred and to my self that I will be one of the greatest. Thanks for the videos they are truely awesome!!!

[@ModelArtTavo]

Wow! It's very interesting and revealing, how similar this designing process is to another areas of art like painting or sculpting, starting with a rough design and building up from there. Thank you,I liked it very much.

[@yrybakov]

I thought I'd leave a comment to say that this video was a real breakthrough for me.... I'm an artist, but absolutely love architecture. This video inspired me to start sketching again, but in a different light! Thank you so much Barry, for sharing your ideas and process in which you build a house. It's Perfect! And the house looks fantastic - love your style! Wow, -Yevgeniy

[@infinite_jjang1404]

I watch this a lot of times and still find it mind blowing👌

[@woodyoublowme7300]

Thank Barry. This really opened my eyes. I will use this information.

[@ralff4272]

I am a first year architecture student, this has inspired me to do well in my design process

[@AmyDiva15]

OMG.. you are amazing. Your video inspired me a lot to pursue my dream to become an architect. Not to even mention how much I've learnt from your 3:54 min video! Thank you

[@shreyaraijain5608]

his teaching will stay in our heart

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

What an extraordinary story of courage and authenticity!

[@chuckielong1]

I always wanted to be an architect, I'm just fascinated with the idea of designing a building and having a design I made to be build and be permanently there forever. Great video.

[@chipholden]

He nailed it! I'm happy to hear from a seasoned architect that that's how it's done. He pretty much explained verbatim how we design here in Florida. I guess design is a universal language.

[@robbetheunis]

i just found these videos, and as an architecture student i found these encouraging, inspiring, amuzing, and very very good. thank you so much

[@two2tango00]

Thank you Barry for sharing. As a new generation of interior designers, I really enjoyed watching and learning.

[@NA-qh7ck]

how are you doing!?

[@sott7309]

By your video, i was able to listen to an interview with an architect- a field i have always felt was so very interesting. Thank you- a well spoken man.

[@linixvictor9025]

your fucking gay

[@waj281]

I love that a lot and the explanation is crystal clear...until this I had no idea what an architect job is...now I start understanding the pathway of architecture thanks you so much

[@papakobinaosei-amanfu2846]

Wow thanks for this great insight, honestly going into my 3rd year of architecture in Ghana, I’m now getting a hank of the design process. So simple and easy to understand.

[@Akumeitakai]

I am like many others who've mentioned this video as being an eye-opener to the process. Yours is just like Volumetrics! It's the same process I use to construct characters in scene or build backgrounds! Start with simple shapes and ideas and refine from there! How could it have been this simple all along?! I was already doing it!

[@angelialexis]

Is it weird that I actually literally cried watching this video.. I've watched this so many years ago and architects like him always inspire me in so many ways. And right now as i'm watching it again, I just realized no matter how much we love architecture, our design or ideas wouldn't matter if we are in a place where people don't give value to us architects. It's just sad. sorry guys just letting out my frustration right now. might delete this later.

[@FictionCautious]

Go to the big cities, there's lots of money there.

[@angelialexis]

@@FictionCautious hi! Thanks for the idea, I might do that..😅

[@pinkheartsunglasses]

I'm thinking of studying architecture next year and this gave me some clear insight into the process, thanks!

[@centitunes1409]

this is the most meaningful 3:00 of my life, ... i am a drafting student here in philippines and this kind of architecture thinking is always belittle for some doesnt acknowledge how building this piece is really hard... anyway i learned so much how BUBBLE diagrams affects the most planning and i really appreciate it.

[@amonster8mymother]

I think many people design form before function and say that is what architecture is. It' is monumental. That function becomes secondary. So it's refreshing to see this.

[@waldennedlaw4953]

This is a great video, I'm going to college next year most likely for architecture and this has helped tremendously.

[@HAKIABEHSERA]

This is fantastic! Simplicity takes genius.

[@btbfree]

Mr. Berkus thank you for sharing your talents

[@33Giusi]

Bravo Barry Berkus a creative mind and talented architect thanks for this video

[@liliewhite]

this is AMAZING. you have opened my eyes on how i could visualise a building. thank you so much. i have a project due on Friday, which is in 5 days, so i am going to be using this. again, thank you so much.

[@zahraa_jomaa]

WOW, What an amazing teacher!

[@obrieneoghan]

excellent videos barry, very informative for me as a young architect starting out. keep them coming!

[@jyothishal]

Great Architect....!!! no words... hats off you Sir

[@PeteSheehan-Route66]

Love this process and result

[@apoorvaswaroop9245]

great idea to create a design and relate easily with the nature and the requirements to create a desirable space..... Thank you so much Barry sir... :)

[@evanah-taningauchun9436]

Love your work. It made many sense. Thank you for this video

[@FernandoPizzani]

Great, clear and inspiring presentation.

[@sergi9393]

Thanks for sharing an experience !

[@thejoshshouse]

It's amazing to see the thinking behind the design...Great to see there is some consideration about where the sun is in terms of the 'performance' of the home...such an important part of the process...an amazing building...be interesting to know how it performs in terms of energy consumption and so on...

[@RealEros1]

Thank you. I wish you the best in what you want to do.

[@rzkylhmsyhslmn]

wonderful advice sir. esp about the kithen and morning light

[@pachocoo]

I am a sophomore architect student in Mexico. I must say I reallyenjoy your video

[@nuruzzamannur4643]

***** i am a student of Architecture .can you please contact with me?

[@AstandsforAlex]

I love architecture, it is my true passion. It hit me how hard and arduous the path of architecture is, so i have been doing my research and i have started to learn by myself before i even go to college. Im a junior in high school and even though my parents are selfishly using my college money i am still up for the challenge and reward of architecture. I really love it that much. a

[@riapotato6827]

I am currently studying architecture and I found this video is really a big help, thank you for the great video 🥺❤️

[@prernaprerna4028]

Which university??

[@ivansabulkong1261]

Wow Since I started my career as an architecture student I've never thought of this brilliant idea come up with cool ideas ..bravoo

[@trevordaniel3093]

So inspiring, out of words 🔥

[@jerrydadirep8745]

Wow i must say this is amazing

[@ErinStetzerHomes]

This is fascinating to watch!

[@scottclute9547]

Just love "the Bridges idea's!!!

[@rustomdelacruz9408]

I am in senior high school student, but i really got an ideas on how to design because he was amazing architect, meticulous! 🥰❤️

[@dankasivevski]

Love your approach Barry although I am not a qualified architect,. rather an interior designer, completely agree with you and when ever given the opportunity follow a very similar process. Your designs are so well though out and practical at the same time, wish more thought like you do danka

[@ma8c0]

+danka sivevski excuse me, sorry to bother you, but i want to ask a question. would you consider interior design as part of architecture? i would like to hear your opinion :)

[@tubemyass875]

I'm just learning this stuff at SBCC. So exciting to see such a magnificent result locally!! Great job!

[@jacquessim90]

You Make It Seem So Easy!

[@sophiamitchell2189]

Love your channel!!

[@DigitalCasm]

Oh man. I love this.

[@samigharo7137]

You are a great teacher and a great designer

[@KadvaKorp]

Simple and logical. A great point to start teaching .. RIP Amen

[@vickygiasin4125]

you are such a great man ! veeery huppy to find your videos

[@mnr8788]

You sir.. are a genius. Simply Amazing.

[@gangulo001]

Excellent Video!!!!... Thank you for sharing!!!!

[@lessonsfromfilms5101]

Still learning from him in 2021

[@mystiquefervor]

Beautifully explained. :)

[@robbiehowlett5022]

Love this

[@TheTtaahhii]

This is great i will use this for my work

[@norman0de0blanco]

thanks sir for sharing your knowledge and experience..

[@kushaladhikari6810]

Excited to study more.....

[@freegoes-e]

this is amazing, thanks for sharing this.

[@librecadfree]

great way to create a design concept....

[@sirkateblueprint2752]

how i just wish that i saw this video on my fresh years in college.

[@KadeviTowers]

good thinking and very nice concept it leads to make ideas by innovative knowledge for an architect and engineers.

[@msij1992]

that was really inspiring!thanks a lott awesome video!

[@daigoro1990]

thank you soo soo much for the inspiring videos!

[@artdinhxuanquynh]

Great design process

[@MizuSL0860]

Whilst I may not be a architect nor have a interest in it as a career I can say this will help me buy a better designed or at least located house in the future, thank you Barry.

[@estructure8220]

R.I.P

[@swylee1]

i think ur a great architect , i looove ur way of thinking and how u explain and sketches :)

[@HandleKingHardware]

This is super interesting!

[@vanantran4992]

i am an architecture student and i always wish i could create beautiful and reasonable buildings, but my immature thinking could not find a way, after i looked at your instructions, i thought what i need to do. his videos was great Thanks very much.

[@teammorenosaurus3343]

great video!

[@Thunderloff]

Thanks, it helps to think like an architect