Performativity of Design Artefacts in Architectural Decision-Making Processes
Architectural design is not merely a sequence of technical decisions but a complex process shaped by interactions among actors, tools, and representations. This study investigates how design documents, understood as visual artefacts, actively influence decision-making processes within architectural practice. Moving beyond traditional views that treat drawings and models as passive outputs, the research positions them as dynamic agents capable of mediating conflicts, aligning perspectives, and guiding outcomes. By focusing on the development of an urban university campus masterplan, the study frames design artefacts as critical instruments in navigating complexity and uncertainty in contemporary architectural projects.
Theoretical Foundations: Actor-Network Theory and Architectural Ethnography
The research builds upon Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and architectural ethnography to conceptualize design processes as networks of human and non-human actors. Within this framework, design artefacts are not inert representations but active participants that shape interactions and decisions. ANT enables the tracing of relationships between stakeholders, tools, and design elements, revealing how artefacts contribute to the stabilization or transformation of ideas. This perspective provides a nuanced understanding of how architectural knowledge is constructed through distributed agency across networks.
Artefacts as Boundary Objects in Organizational Contexts
A key contribution of the study lies in framing design documents as boundary objects within organizational studies. These artefacts facilitate communication across diverse professional domains, enabling collaboration among architects, engineers, planners, and stakeholders. By accommodating multiple interpretations while maintaining a shared reference point, design artefacts help negotiate conflicting interests and foster consensus. The study highlights how their performativity becomes especially significant at critical decision-making moments, where alignment across disciplines is essential.
Integration with Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs)
The research integrates Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) to analyze how design artefacts support complex decision-making environments. PSMs emphasize iterative dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and the structuring of ill-defined problems. Within this context, visual artefacts act as mediators that externalize ideas, clarify uncertainties, and enable collaborative exploration of alternatives. The study demonstrates how combining ANT with PSMs enhances the analytical framework, offering deeper insights into how architectural practices manage ambiguity and complexity.
Methodological Approach: Mapping Design Practices
Methodologically, the study introduces an innovative mapping approach to trace the performativity of design artefacts throughout the design process. This method captures the evolution of interactions, decisions, and transformations mediated by artefacts over time. By systematically documenting these processes, the research provides a structured way to analyze how design knowledge is produced and negotiated. The mapping methodology serves as a valuable tool for both researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and improve collaborative design workflows.
Interactive Visualization Tool and Practical Implications
The study culminates in the development of an interactive visualization tool that represents the dynamic role of design artefacts in decision-making processes. This tool enables users to explore relationships between actors, artefacts, and outcomes, offering a practical means of analyzing and optimizing design workflows. Beyond its methodological contribution, the research provides valuable insights for architectural practice, emphasizing the need to recognize and leverage the performative role of design artefacts in shaping more effective, collaborative, and informed decision-making processes.
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