對於課題的研究，幫助設計內容能精準的提出解決方案。這比較容易理解，比如說，在鰲股溼地教育展示館的案子中，我們發現鰲鼓溼地其實是缺水的溼地，雨季的水不斷因為怕淹水而被排走，乾季的時候水又被蒸發，所以我們就要設計一個可以儲水又不怕淹水的建築物，幫這塊基地的開發提供解決方案。
研究的過程必須橫跨空間尺度與專業技術的限制。雲嘉南沿海的資料顯示嚴重的地層下陷問題，也就是說即使房子蓋得再高，二樓也會變成一樓，失去防水的功能，那後面的種種用途就沒有什麼意義。經由水治理的研究，我們提出，「建築如何形成獨立的水治理系統?」的課題，因而以單一基地的開發作為示範提案，最後反應到整個基地的效能上。將問題分散化，提供小尺度的解決方案。這便是我們稱為聰明的設計提案，以小博大。

Research help to ask good questions. For example, in the project, visitor centre in Augu wetland, we found out the severe condition of water management in the wetland. The fresh water is pumped out during rain season while the evaporation dries out the soil. In consequence, the land is sinking. Then more salty water contaminates the soil, and the buildings are in danger of flood. Therefore, we propose the design base on water management. Architecture functions as the mechanism for the system. It is too easy and irresponsible to say, ‘okay, we should make the building higher then the flood level, and it would be fine’. In fact, many houses in that region are sinking and then flooded. We came up with the question, ‘how to formulate a sustainable water management system’, concluded from research process. Further more, we design a close system in the designated plot. It is an self-sufficient water management unit. Our concept is the distributed system instead of centralized system. Thus, each plot can contribute to the whole environment. No need to wait for a regional project to solve this. That’s what we call a ‘smart design’.