The document discusses the need to update existing typologies and design patterns to account for complex adaptive systems. It notes that the high-growth era of industrialism is ending, and current typologies set within a finite machine model are no longer effective or sustainable. It argues that typologies must be deconstructed and reconstituted as complex adaptive systems that allow for rapid feedback and adaptation. Doing so will provide opportunities for leadership by those who can develop processes and templates for implementing new complex and sustainable typologies.

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Assessment: The Agenda:
What we are currently experiencing is more than Typologies need to be set in a Complex Adaptive
just a recession. System Model.
It is one episode in the final stages of a major era. Existing typologies need to be deconstructed
and reconstituted as complex adaptive systems
The high growth era of American capitalist/ realizing their highest fitness function in the current
industrialism has completed its life cycle. environment.
The attempt to perpetuate this high growth through Feedback loop needs to be established and
increasingly artificial means creates what are information shared so that adaptation is rapid and
referred to as “bubbles”. These are unsustainable extensive.
phenomena that create increasing stress and
dysfunction in the system. An example of this already underway is the charter
school movement – which is deconstructing and
re-constituting the existing education bureaucracy.
Implications for Design:
The implication is that we have an array of industrial
age patterns and typologies that are no longer The Opportunity:
effective or sustainable.
Whoever is able to provide the
The design challenges lie in the fact that our processes and templates to
existing typologies are set in a finite element /force
model (machine metaphor). This makes adaptation
adapt and implement complex,
difficult for several specific reasons: adaptive, synergistic, sustainable
The sub-systems that comprise the overall
typologies will lead in the creation
systems are isolated and compartmentalized of the 21st century.
and do not readily interact.
Our design processes are set up for Conversely, continuing to be
implementing the specific sub-systems of
existing typologies only.
purveyors of components of
20th century typologies is a
We do not have the processes in place to adapt
and reconfigure typologies in an integrated
commoditized position in a
manner. process that will be led by others.
complex adaptive systems
IN DESIGN