A concept board is your project’s story told visually.
It’s your way of showing how your ideas came to life—what inspired you, what problems you’re solving, and how you translated vision into design. It helps others quickly understand the “why” behind the “what.” So, let your creativity shine and show what your brain sees.

Here’s how to structure your concept board effectively:

1. Placemaking – Create a Name That Will Suit Your Concept

This is your project title—it sets the tone and should reflect the story, purpose, or identity of the space.

Tips for naming your project:

• Consider local culture, nature, or function of the project’s area
• Think about the community or people using the space
• Reflect a strong metaphor or title (e.g., “The Hive”, “Altiora Poblacion”, “Echo Pavilion”)

2. Design Concept – Explain What Your Design Concept is All About

This section is your project’s big idea—your overall inspiration and how it informs your design decisions.

Write in a short paragraph:

• Explain your design concept or theory
• What is its purpose to the community or people using the space?
• Connect how the design concept and materials became unique from other projects

Example:

“Altiora Poblacion will be the first vertical structure in Poblacion, Makati, to house residential, commercial, and office spaces. As the oldest barangay in the city, Poblacion is considered the historical and cultural core of Makati. Altiora Poblacion will integrate the historical and cultural character of Poblacion through Art Deco architecture, aiming to become a future heritage landmark. This design style emphasizes balance and symmetry, and instead of the ornamental nature of traditional Art Deco, the building will showcase locally inspired materials for the façade.”

3. Design Considerations – List the Design Considerations That You Will Use

These are the practical and contextual elements that shape your design.

Use an icon and explain its meaning, these are the examples:

• Aesthetics and Form
• Accessibility
• Functionality
• Safety and Security
• Efficient Use of Space

4. Design Objectives – Know Your Goals and Aims for Your Project

What are you trying to achieve with this project? These are your design goals.

Example objectives:

• Create inclusive public spaces for all age groups
• Improve walkability and social interaction
• Provide a vertical space due to a rapid population
• Promote historical and cultural appreciation of the city
• Reconnect people with nature

5. Design Philosophy – Famous or Personal

Here you can reference a notable architect’s philosophy or write your own.

Examples from famous architects:

• “Less is more.” – Mies van der Rohe
• “Architecture is the thoughtful making of space.” – Louis Kahn
• “Architecture should serve as a bridge between the human and the environment.” – Tadao Ando

Or your own philosophy:

• “Ideas become architecture when they’re seen, not just said.”
• “Architecture is a transport of memory and idea.”

6. Design Interventions – What You’re Doing to Improve the Space

This part shows your actions and strategies to address the site’s needs and enhance its quality.

Examples of interventions:

• Created shaded community gathering zones
• Activated dead spaces with open-air markets
• Integrated bioswales and native landscaping
• Introduced elevated walkways for better circulation
• Used permeable materials to reduce flooding risk

Use small visuals to illustrate each.

7. Renders – Visualize the Project

Show your rendered images to communicate your design visually.

Types of renders to include:

• Exterior perspective
• Interior perspective
• Aerial view/site context
• Night scene (if relevant)
• Human interaction (add people for scale and vibe)

8. Evolution of Form – Visuals or Diagrams for Your Building’s Form

Show how the building’s form has evolved. This could include:

• Initial sketches that demonstrate the conceptualization process
• Massing studies on how the building volumes change and respond to the site
• Transformation diagrams that depict the progression of the design from idea to final form
• 3D renderings or diagrams showing how the design has been shaped by context, environment, and program needs

The evolution of form shows your design thinking process and how each decision shaped the final project.

9. Location – Include the Project’s Site Area

Provide a site map showing the project’s location and surrounding context if you have no site analysis board. This could include:

• A micro site showing the project’s area within the city or region
• Key site features like rivers, parks, etc.

10. North Orientation – Every Board Must Have This

Including the north orientation is essential for understanding the sun path, wind direction, and overall spatial relationships.

Place a north arrow prominently on the site plan or any related diagrams.

11. Use Hierarchy to Guide the Viewer

Not all information needs the same level of emphasis. Use typography, color, and layout to guide the viewer’s eye.

• Larger, bold titles should highlight key sections (e.g., Placemaking, Design Concept, Design Objectives).
• Use subtle, smaller text for descriptions, annotations, and supplementary details.
• Visuals like diagrams and renders should lead the viewer through your design’s progression.

12. Limit Text – Focus on Visuals

While text is important, the visuals should dominate your board. Use short, impactful statements and annotations to support your visuals rather than overwhelm them.

Icons or symbols can be used to represent ideas more efficiently than large blocks of text.