Creativity and the school design process: the board game as a supporting tool

Abstract Reflecting on improvements to the quality of the built environment implies the development of studies that take a deeper view of the issues related to the design process. Based on the premise that there are many requirements that apply to architectural design, this study presents the creation of a tool that aids the architectural design process, focusing on creativity and cognition related to the creation phase. The typology chosen is school design. The methodology uses a qualitative approach, supported by theoretical research related to cognition, the design process, and the use of games in creative processes. The final product of this research is a board game supported by cards representing the design patterns that were considered essential to the mass plan stage of school architecture. The practice of this game proved to be suitable for this phase, creating a motivating and relaxed discussion forum that can improve the creativity phase. The results found in this study show, from the first sketches, the incorporation of essential concepts related to a high performance school design. An additional conclusion was that the use of this type of tool can improve project quality as it guides the discussions and focuses them on issues that are seen as essential to the quality of school buildings.