Integral conceptual design workshop: innovation by knowledge transfer and knowledge creation

Abstract. Innovation in the Building Industry is necessary to meet the new demands of society. In order to enhance team design in the most crucial phase for innovation, the conceptual design phase, a design method is proposed: Integral Design. This design method uses morphological charts which are transformed to a morphological overview as a framework for reflection on the design process itself by the design team and their stakeholders (project managers, clients). This design method supports creation of innovative building design concepts by design knowledge transfer and knowledge creation based on the ‘concept space’ and ‘knowledge space’ of the Concept-Knowledge (C-K) theory of Hatchuel and Weil. To reach for organizational/cultural innovation as well as product and process innovation, the design method was developed in cooperation with the Dutch Society of Architects, BNA, and the Dutch society of consulting engineers, ONRI. One of the main results achieved is the inclusion of the method in workshops for the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects’ permanent professional development program. Already more than 200 professional participated in these workshops.