Theories of Architecture(EAPS4202) Lecturer 2 Theory & Design Methodology (Part I)

1. University of Palestine Faculty of Applied Engineering & Urban Planning Dept. of Architecture, Interior Design & Planning Theories of Architecture(EAPS4202) Lecturer 2 Theory & Design Methodology (Part I) Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 24.02.2009

2. Theory: Categories A meaningful categorization is as follows: Descriptive aim at reporting the present (or past) state of the object which, in architectural studies, can be either one building and/or any defined class or series of buildings while considering those related to these buildings. Monographs of the buildings often belong to this category, in addition to a great part of the history of architecture. Explanatory try to find out whyeach building has taken the shape that it has. The reasons can be taken either from the past (causal explanation), from the concurrent context, or alternatively, from the future (i.e. from the intentions of the builders). See also Explaining Development. Normative attempt to point out in which respects the object could be improved, and the method adopted in doing so. When the outcome of normative theories is generalizable to later similar objects, we can call it theory of design. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

3. Traditions of Theory: Paradigms (Style) Paradigms are classified into two types: • Thematic theories • Theories of synthesis Thematic or "analytic" theories are treatises which aim at the fulfillment of one principal goal of architecture. • They are often based on profound analyses of this goal, usually made at the cost of other customary goals of the building. This adds to the clarity of the theory, and also to the buildings that are designed on its basis. Such theories are admirable works of art and can be used as exemplars in the education of younger architects. • On the other hand, over stressing just one goal of building has often made these edifices impractical and inadequate in other respects. Indeed, many of them are today no more used for their originally intended purposes but are instead serving as tourist attractions or museums. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

4. Traditions of Theory: Paradigms (Style)Thematic Theories Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

5. Traditions of Theory: Paradigms (Style)Thematic Theories • Some of the theories in the table are now certainly outdated and have little interest to a modern thinking in Architecture, but some theories still contain valid information about important goals & principles, • Notably, on the questions of functionality, construction, economy and ecology. • Postmodernism & Deconstruction are still valid theories that can be seen as building-specific branches of the general goal-specific theories which pertain to all types of products. These are listed in Paradigms of Design Theory. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

6. Traditions of Theory: Paradigms Theories of architectural synthesis are examples of theories which aim at fulfilling simultaneously several goals, usually all the goals that are known. • These paradigms are commonly applied in conventional construction projects which then not only produce practical but also customary looking buildings that will probably never be included within the books of architectural history. • By the contrast, thematic theories are treatises which aim at the fulfillment of one principal goal, usually at the cost of other customary goals of building. • The theories of architectural synthesis do not encourage creating such unique monuments and/or architectural styles, as do the thematic theories, each aiming at one goal. Instead, they can help at producing practical and useful buildings for average people. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

7. Traditions of Theory: ParadigmsTheories of Architectural Synthesis • Architectural synthesis theories are useful in practical design projects • They are also named as “Design Theories”. • Such theories are grouped into: 1. Universal Meta-theories since the Middle Ages no philosophical structure of synthesis regarding the goals of building has reached an universal acceptance to construct an objective synthesis of all goals of the building acceptable to all people. 2. Design Theories for Building’s Types Methodologically this means that Normative Case Study and Normative Comparison are relatively often used, as a contrast to the Normative Study of Variables closely related to the study of goals. 3. Procedures for Subjective Arbitration of Goals • In professional design, the architect, together with a team of engineers, prepares the project proposals, followed by evaluation at a meeting with the customers, and the architect prepares renewed outlines until the customers and other involved parties are satisfied. • It is usual that much of the work of defining and arbitrating of goals is done already before the architect begins with the design. This initial phase of the building project is often called a feasibility study. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

8. Architectural Process: Elements Areas of architectural design (Buildings' type): • Residential buildings: flats, row house, terrace house, & etc • Commercial buildings: institutional, administrative, commercial, industrial, health, educational, services, & etc • Transportation buildings: stations, airports, cross borders, & etc • Sports buildings: playgrounds, stadiums, & etc Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

9. Architectural Process: Elements Areas of architectural design (Buildings' type): • Recreational buildings: clubs, theatres, casinos, & etc. • Worship buildings: mosques, churches, & etc. • Monumental buildings: triumphal vault, tombs, cemeteries, & etc • Military buildings: camps, fortresses, & etc. • Civil structures: storages, bridges, water tanks, & etc • Interior design and exterior design. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

10. Architectural Process: Assessment Guide Below are the ‘Design factors’ that have to be of key consideration: • Functional elements: Space arrangement within buildings and how these spaces do relate to each other • Circulation: collective, vehicle & motor ways, pedestrians, links between buildings, colonnades, porch, portico, gallery, entrance hall, lobby, corridors, stairs, lefts, escalators, & etc • Service elements: service court, servants and guards rooms, laundry, garages, storages. • Ventilation : open court, inner court, balconies, windows, ventilation shaft. • Acoustic: particular demanding in theaters, schools, universities & music halls where there is a desire for an open-plan arrangements i including a number of activities • Natural lightening: It covers task/activity lighting, lightening for visual amenity, architectural integration, energy efficiency, maintenance & costs. • Access: Vehicular and pedestrian access on site as well as inner circulation • Site & Building layout: Thinking about the relationship between inner & external spaces • Sustainable buildings: not wasting existing recourses leaving little to future generation focusing on approaches of providing a quality of life. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

11. Architectural Process: Design ProcessBuilding’s Component • Structural elements: walls, foundations, columns, slabs, domes, vaults, trusses, shells • Visual elements: external surfaces, fences, roofs, interiors, gardens • Safety elements: exposure from wind, heat & rain (external surfaces, sheds), privacy(curtains, retaining walls, trees ), risk (fire escape, shelters, doors) • Color • Materials adopted One building’s element could play multiple & varied functions Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

12. Delight Venustas Commodity Utilitas IMPACT FUNCTIONALITY Firmness Firmitas Vitruvius & Wootton BUILD QUALITY Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, University of Palestine International

13. Form & materials • Internal environment • Urban & social integration • Character & innovation IMPACT • Use • Access • Space FUNCTIONALITY • Performance • Engineering systems • Construction BUILD QUALITY Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, University of Palestine International

14. Architectural Process: Design Process The stages of the design process starts with an initial stage called ‘feasibility study’ including; • lists of the intended activities that are to take place in the future building; lists of people to be accommodated; lists of the rooms or spaces for these; positioning and connections of the spaces; • definitions of quality level. These can relate to e.g. safety, durability, finishing, intended life-time of the building • time-table; & • calculation of costs. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

15. Architectural Process: Design Process A "technical team" -- a group of professionals that shall produce studies of available alternatives. The team may be a governmental and/or local agency, or a consulting firm. Typical phases in participatory urban planning projects are: • Initial survey. The technical team finds basic data and develops an understanding of the interests, needs and desires of all potentially affected interest groups. It creates an initial statement of issues and goals. It assembles data that will later help generating some initial, alternate project ideas. • Issue analysis. In this phase, both the team and the interest groups shall develop a clear understanding of the general goals, interests, and problems. The technical team shall develop alternatives that may represent widely different assumptions of the project's objectives. These help the various interest groups to clarify their own objectives. The technical team shall present the evolving alternatives and their impacts several times to the interest groups (and perhaps also to the general public). • Design and negotiation. The objective of this phase is to produce "substantial" (= not necessarily total) agreement on a single alternative. To reach an agreement, it may be necessary to include compensating actions that do not strictly belong to the initial project. In this phase, the technical team produces basically similar alternatives (to the ones in the preceding phase) but with minor variations to help the negotiations. • Ratification. The participation process normally finishes with a public hearing, where the technical team presents the final proposal, the main interest groups present their views, and a possible agreement can be confirmed. If there is no agreement, the technical team presents its own recommendations and its views of the advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives. • The final decision is then up to the legal (or commercial) authority responsible for the project. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008

16. Architectural Process: Design Process The design and negotiation stage involves: • Elementary design (concept): organizing of the ground plane to create functionality in the design. • It stays very general in nature. • Architectural drawings : Draft plans (Floors plans & elevation in 1:200 scale) • Discussion with the client to feed in the design. • 4. Shop drawings & the bill of quantities for implementation. Prepared by Dr. Hazem Abu-Orf, 17.06.2008