Compilation of Ar. Mike Guerrero's Thesis tips.

(Divided into 4 parts; Before, Book, Boards and

Battlefield)
Before
1. Choose a site with COMPLETE DATA, and then propose the BEST USE for the site.
Occasionally, site data may not be readily available for the students due to privacy issues.
It is best that site data be gathered for several sites before the thesis proposal. With each
available site, try to think of projects that would be the best for the specific site.
2. Do a FACILITY CHECK for a 1 kilometer, 5 kilometer and 10 kilometer radius around
your site. Should a major facility be missing, you could consider that as your thesis
project. Another way of determining the thesis project is to check the surroundings of the
project site for the major facilities in the area. A missing facility could readily be the
thesis project. In any case, a check on the surroundings will help determine the linkages
of the thesis project with the other facilities around.
3. Identify a PROBLEM IN SOCIETY, then think of an ARCHITECTURAL
SOLUTION. This is a way of identifying your thesis project that responds to a real need.
Observe your community and try to identify problems that should be corrected to make
the community a better place to live in. These could be crime, traffic, floods, garbage,
etc., once identified, focus on an architectural solution to that problem.
Book
4. Make FRIENDS with the lower years they will be useful when you need additional
help in your thesis presentation. When preparing the boards, the models and the
presentation materials, a lot of assistance would be welcome. You may not be able to rely
on your batch mates who are also doing their thesis. The students in the lower batches
may be of help, as they would welcome the opportunity to be exposed to thesis work.
5. Compile all the LAWS and CODES affecting your project. Laws and codes must be
followed to the letter, as there is no negotiation with the law. Compile all the laws and
codes that cover your project and illustrating these laws in graphic form would be
helpful.
6. Compile all the STANDARDS related to your project. Standards include space
parameters, structural systems, utility systems, finishes, ergonomics, equipment sizes, etc.
that relate to your thesis project.
7. Determine the KEY PARAMETER of your project and FOCUS your solution on it.
Every project type has a key parameter, such that without it, the project would fail. These
could be security, safety, sizes of aircraft (for airports), etc. Once you determine that key
parameter (or key parameters), focus your research on the best way to achieve it.
8. Review EXISTING BUILDINGS similar to your project why reinvent the wheel?
Study similar buildings to give you an idea of how the designers solved their problems.
This review could be a starting point for your own design.
The following outline may be used for the title defense:
- WHY - reasons why you are doing this project
- WHY THERE - reasons for locating this project in a specific place
- WHAT'S UNIQUE - what is the distinctive feature of this project?

Boards
9. Make UNIVERSAL DESIGN and SUSTAINABILITY part of the design objectives.
Sustainability is a major concern for the building industry as resources are starting to
dwindle. On the other hand, equality is a key issue in society equal access of persons of
diverse abilities. These two key points should be part of every design note: Universal
Design is the current topic of my #arkitips series.
10. Principle of AXIS and FOCAL POINTS in site plans, floor plans and elevations. It is
said that the best drawings should be understood instinctively. Drawings organized with
relationships of axis and focal points give a sense of clarity and organization. The site
development plan, the floor plans and the elevations should have a design axis. When two
or more axis meets, you can create a focal point.
11. Have a REASON for EVERYTHING on your boards. If you don't know why it is there,
remove it/Anything on your design boards opens up a possibility of a question from the
jury. As designers, there has to be a reason for every item, line, wall, etc. Make sure you
review your boards and understand everything on it.
12. Design for an AWESOME project. If it does not excite, redesign. Architectural design
must have some drama. If you think that your design is common-place or has been seen
before, improve it. Redesign until you think it is awesome! 12. Design for an
AWESOME project. If it does not excite, redesign. Architectural design must have some
drama. If you think that your design is common-place or has been seen before, improve
it. Redesign until you think it is awesome!
Battlefield
13. DELIVERY is the clincher in the thesis deliberation. Start with an ice breaker, then state,
illustrate and summarize your objectives, and end with bang. The way your present your
thesis project, and get the jury to understand your project, will be the main bulk of your
grade. Impression counts a lot. Try to limit your design objectives to three and know
them by heart. The whole process of deliberation, being an academic exercise, is to state
your design objectives, illustrate through your concepts and drawings how you have
attained your design objectives, and finally summarizes how you have achieved your
design objectives. An ice breaker at the beginning and a feel-good ending would
complete the whole deliberation plan.
14. Explain your concepts and drawings from MACRO to MICRO the big picture first
before the details. When you explain your design concepts, site plan, floor plan,
elevations, etc., always start with the overview or broad strokes. Add in the details only
after having presented the overview.
15. You are the one who knows your thesis best, so have CONFIDENCE it helps during
deliberation. Of all the people in the room during the deliberation, you have worked on
the project for at least a whole year. No one is more familiar with the project, so that
should give you confidence in your presentation.
16. Thesis is your showcase of what you have learned in architecture school its all about
ATTITUDE. Rather than facing your thesis with fear, think about it as the crowning
glory of all you have learned in the whole stay in architectural school. The thesis is like
the icing to the cake, as it can cover up your ups and downs in your student career. Make
it something you can be proud about.#arkithesistips