A Qualitative Study on Architects' Detail Production Processes

Architectural details affect many features of a structure such as its aesthetics, quality, cost, and durability. However, there is a limited number of studies examining architectural detail production processes despite their important role on building design and production processes. This study aims to examine the approach undertaken by architects when working on details. In the scope of the research, a qualitative research method was used, and interviews were done with 31 architects to understand their detail perceptions, the parameters that are effective in the process of detail creation, the sources they use to create details. The results of the research show that time, cost, functionality, feasibility, ergonomics, aesthetics, availability of materials, previously tried and tested details, designer's personal characteristics and architectural perception, environmental factors, competencies of the professionals involved in the construction process, and various parameters such as customers are effective on process of detail creation. In addition, architects tend to use resources such as personal experience, observation, expert support, technical support from companies, product catalogs, domestic and international fairs, internet, books, journals and academic publications when producing details. As a result, it is expected that young architects who are required to cope with many complex problems in their architectural professional life will be able to produce quick and practical solutions to the architectural detail problems they face. For this reason, in addition to insight on details, architects need the skills of problem solving.