During the schematic design phase, the architect will primarily understand what aspect of the building?

During the schematic design phase, the architect focuses on conceptualizing the overall vision and the general arrangement of the building. This phase is crucial for establishing the exterior appearance and how the building will relate to its surroundings. The architect develops initial sketches and designs to convey the architectural style, massing, and character of the building, which ultimately define its visual impact.

While aspects like the interior layout, structural integrity, and site selection are certainly considered during this phase, they are not the primary focus. The schematic design is largely about capturing the essence of how the building will look and feel from both an aesthetic and functional perspective, laying the groundwork for more detailed design work in subsequent phases. Thus, understanding the exterior appearance is integral to forming the initial design concepts that will guide the project through to completion.