I was surprised when someone recently asked in passing if there was really anything behind the term “integrated design.” or if it was just the latest buzzword in architecture. I couldn’t imagine anything more off base, but it did get me thinking.
If you were tasked with solving an enormously complex problem utilizing a team of highly trained professionals, each representing different, but related, disciplines, wouldn’t you want to create a situation in which all the various expertise on the team could be leveraged to its maximum potential?
If a successful solution to the problem relied on aspects of each of the disciplines to lead a portion of the solution but also prosper as a part of the whole, wouldn’t you want to create a collaborative environment where multiple disciplines could operate to everyone’s mutual benefit?
If you could utilize the expertise of one professional to inform the expertise of a related professional wouldn’t it enhance the outcomes? Wouldn’t this be a good way to foster innovation?
If all of the professionals would necessarily be a substantial part of the solution wouldn’t you want to have their involvement at the inception of the problem solving?
If you could work with a team that valued open communication and mutual respect wouldn’t you?
Integrated design is a process that aims to achieve all of the above. It is a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize results. The outcomes are typically more efficient, more sustainable, and more innovative.
Why WOULDN’T you want to operate this way?
Matt Gifford
