CONTEXT

The meaning of context is, the parts of a written or spoken statement that precedes or follow a specific word or passage usually influencing its meaning or effect, or the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event or situation. Context comes in two different ways, verbal context and social context.

Context in relation to a architectural team collaboration is extremely important in getting across the ideas and thoughts that a team member may have. Communicating the idea across must be clear and precise so that the context of the idea is not mistaken and thought of in a wrong way or a different way the team member wishes it to be. Misunderstanding of the idea may end up causing the final outcome to be wrong and cost the team’s reputation, economically and even enthusiasm. This is the verbal context.

Social context were defined in terms of objective social variable such as class, gender or race. Social context reflects how the people around something use and interpret it. The social context influences how something is viewed.

In architectural examples, context is important to get your ideas to your audience in the way you intend it to be seen, especially when the ideas involve something which you created and needs to be explained for the audience to actually find out the meaning of your creation. For example, an architect designs a sun roof on the ceiling which is used for natural lighting to enter the living space, if not communicated properly, the buyer may see it as a window for viewing up at the stars at night, which is not the main point of the whole creation.

References:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/context
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Context_%28language_use%29