Architectural ideas or concepts are described in a form
of sketch shorthand. A conceptual explanation of how
a building works can sometimes be conveyed in a simple
line drawing. Conversely, the concept may be more
complex and so require a series of sketches to fully
explain the underlying idea.
A concept can be related to any aspect of the architectural
design process. For example, an urban concept might
reference the scale of a city or location, or a material concept
could describe the different details of a building and how
they are connected together. The architectural concept can
be conveyed in both the macro and micro elements of a
scheme design.
At any stage of the process the concept is something that
drives the design forward and as such it needs to be
recorded. A sketch is a quick, easy and useful way to do this,
and a concept sketch can take many forms.