The Section Over the Plan: Internal Logic at Architectt

The hierarchy of the section

In the studio, the plan is often a consequence of the section. While a plan organizes circulation and program, it rarely captures the thermal performance or the volume of light required for Mediterranean sites. In a recent internal study for a residential terrace on the French Riviera, the project shifted only after a hand-drawn section revealed that the original roofline blocked the mistral-cooled air from reaching the lower courtyard. By dropping the floor plate by 450mm and tilting the slab, we achieved passive cooling that the plan view had obscured.

This illustrates our internal hierarchy: we optimize for mass and thermal inertia first. The floor plan, which developers often prioritize for square meterage, is refined only once the building’s relationship to the sun and wind is fixed. In 2023, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) noted that operational energy accounts for a significant portion of a building's lifecycle carbon; our process assumes that if the section is wrong, no amount of mechanical cooling will fix the budget or the comfort of the occupant.

Deliberate irresolution in early stages

We maintain a policy of leaving specific interior finishes and non-structural partitions unresolved during the first two phases of design. There is a tendency in modern practice to produce high-fidelity imagery too early, which locks in client expectations before the site’s constraints are fully understood. By focusing on site and mass, we protect the project from premature aesthetic decisions that might conflict with structural requirements or procurement realities.

For instance, we do not select specific stone types until the primary concrete or timber frame is costed. According to the RICS Building Cost Information Service (BCIS), material costs in Europe saw fluctuations of over 10% in certain categories during late 2023. By keeping the material palette broad—referring to 'honed limestone' rather than a specific quarry—we allow the contractor and developer room to negotiate without compromising the architectural intent.

The internal filter for generated imagery

Our studio uses generative tools to explore volume and light, but these outputs never reach a client in their raw state. The internal review process focuses on two criteria: tectonic logic and material honesty. We have found that early-stage generated imagery often ignores gravity or creates impossible junctions between glass and masonry.

Every image is subjected to a 'technical audit' where an architect identifies every joint. If a render shows a ten-meter cantilever without a visible structural solution, it is discarded. We view these tools as sophisticated sketchbooks, not as final representations. The goal is to reduce the 'expectation gap'—the distance between a polished visualization and the delivered building—which remains a primary source of friction between developers and architects.

Managing the Mediterranean site

The topography of the Riviera demands a specific sequence of decisions. We start with the 'cut and fill' balance. Moving earth is one of the highest risks in a project budget. Our process involves a rigorous topographical analysis before the first massing model is built. We prioritize the retention of existing site features, such as stone walls or mature olive trees, not for sentiment, but for their role in soil stabilization and microclimate management.

The transition to the site office

The final transition from studio to site is where the design is tested. We prioritize the presence of the lead designer at the first concrete pour and the first stone laying. This ensures that the intent of the 'quick section'—the drawing that defined the project's climate response—is understood by the trades. We do not view the studio as a silo, but as the beginning of a technical dialogue that ends only at handover. This technical rigor, rather than a signature style, defines the studio’s output.

Sources and method

• RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), 2023: Data on operational energy and lifecycle carbon. Cited as the standard for UK and European professional practice.
• BCIS (Building Cost Information Service), 2023/2024: Data regarding material cost fluctuations in the European construction sector. Used to justify the studio's deferred procurement strategy.
• Eurostat, 2023: General construction production trends in the Euro area were monitored to contextualize budget risks, showing a volatile market that necessitates design flexibility.

The figures used are based on public reports from these professional bodies. Where specific studio practices are described, they represent internal protocols rather than industry-wide statistics. All cost-related mentions are based on the 2023-2024 reporting period to ensure relevance to current contracts.