Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as an Assessment Approach for Architectural Design: Case Study of Architectural Design Studio

Abstract

Architectural design is complex and can be defined as an effectivedecision-making activity based on problem solving. This complexity isnot based on content and volume of problems, but also heterogeneityand uncertainty of information provided for assessment, subjectiveapproaches, and a large number of the criterion for assessment. The aimof this research paper is to contribute to the researches for assessmentof architectural design by providing a novel approach based on AnalyticHierarchy Process (AHP) – a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)method. The approach supports an effective comparative analysisamong the alternative projects based on determined criterion. Themethodology is implemented with a case study in one of the designstudios of Department of Architecture of Çankaya University on finaldesign projects of a group of students with observation, research andassessment. The data used in the assessment is collected throughinterviews and surveys which is analysed by the help of a software.Based on the outcomes of the AHP-based approach, it has been seen thatthis approach can provide numerical results that are comparable,measurable, gradable, consistent and can be reported separately for each assessor. However, it has also been found that the AHP-basedmethod is suitable for evaluating only a limited number of projects. Withthe research, and by setting thresholds levels for evaluation, it hasbecome clear that successful and unsuccessful projects can be separatedfor achievement and competence. Consequently, it has been observedthat the approach has considerable potentials to be further developed toevaluate architectural projects comparatively, especially forarchitectural students’ projects, and other architectural projects such asarchitectural design competitions.