1. Analysis and perception: architectural pedagogy for
environmental sustainability
Y. Luckan
Department of Architecture, Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Keywords:
environmental sustainability, eco-efficiency, urbanism, spatial waste,
perceptual analysis, adaptive reuse, resilience, architectural pedagogy, inter-
disciplinarity.
2. Theories and concepts of environmental sustainability in architectural education weigh
heavily toward the analysis of scientific data and measurables -
largely ignores the value of perception as an analytical tool.
OUTLINE of the RESEARCH PROBLEM
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
3. This paper posits that in order to develop environmentally sustainable
architecture, the concept of adaptive reuse of existing space becomes
embedded in design projects and design learning
URBANSPATIALWASTE
Figure 4: urban spatial waste
4. Pedagogic Implication / problem: architects need to develop qualities of
perception that engage with the multiple, intangible, layers of space while at the
same time being able to see opportunities for adaptive reuse of anti-space,
“atopia” or lost space. The development of such perceptual abilities, however,
requires a re-look at architectural pedagogy and methods of spatial analysis.
The general perception - based on the explicitly perceivable elements defining
space - opportunities for innovative use of space and transformation of space into
place are implicitly disregarded - opportunities that exist particularly in Atopia
(Menin [5]) and Lost Space (Trancik [7]).
Figure 5: Elements of the city as perceivable objects
5. Mc Donough et al [4]) - eco-efficiency attempt to lessen damage of industrial production.
HOWEVER, What about the production of Urban environments?
6. Figure 6: Pruitt Igoe Housing
Figure 7
measurement of spatial waste has not been a significant focus of eco-efficiency
measurement.
Figure 8
7. Abstract Methods of
URBAN ANALYSIS and URBAN DESIGN
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS:
• How are Designers Taught?
• How do Designers Learn?
8. Abstract convenience. Trancik [7]): Figure Ground Theory, Linkage Theory and Place
Theory - potential strategies for integrated urban design. STATIC IMAGES of Dynamic Space
Figure 9: FIGURE GROUND DRAWING: Nolli’s Map of Rome 1748 (Trancik, 1986).
PREDOMINANT METHODS of URBAN ANALYSIS / DESIGN
9. Lynch [3]) - Place Theory - psychological mapping of urban space -set of
elements that characterise urban place: paths; edges; districts; nodes and landmarks.
Orientation and way-finding .
The visual quality of space is what defined its legibility and the perceivable form of the city,
according to Lynch.
Figure 10: elements of Legibility (Lynch, 1960)
10. ASSEMBLAGE THEORY:
Dovey [2]:“An assemblage is a whole that is formed from the
interconnectivity and flows between constituent parts – a socio-spatial cluster
of interconnections between parts wherein the identities and functions of
both parts and wholes emerge from the flows between them.”
An assemblage therefore cannot merely be defined by literal, structural or
material qualities of space. It is the inter-connective relativities between
the physical elements that define space and the “soft” socio-spatial
systems -Based on rhizomic informalities that may not be clearly visible in
the visual or aesthetic surface dimension, determine the complex vitality of
urban space.
CRITIQUE of APPROACH + REDEFINITION OF PLACE
POSITION: Urban space cannot be interpreted or designed as
determinate and fixed, but rather as dynamic, layered and
indeterminate.
Complex Semi-lattice structure incl Soft Layers –
Social, Economic, Cultural: Alexander [1]. A city is not a tree…
11. CRITIQUE of Design
Designers have adept ability to manipulate the physical,
and material qualities of space and the elements that define
such space, however, there is a general lack of focus on
human social factors that activate urban spaces.
Can designers learn from human socio-spatial
activation – based on responsive resilience?
LESSONS from URBAN INHABITANTS:
Clues for Responsive Design
12. ADAPTIVE RE-USE OF URBAN SPATIAL WASTE
The Case of the Warwick Junction Precinct
The vitalisation of space through Human
Resilience
13. Figure 11: Aerial map indicating Albert Park and Warwick Junction Precinct
(Adapted from Rosenberg et al, 2013).
14. Figure 12: Figure Ground Drawing: Showing the Warwick Precinct – circled in Red
16. Figure 14: Link bridges for trade, connecting Berea Station to Warwick Avenue
(Govender, V., Maharaj, S., Pillay, D., Ramchund, A. : DUT, Third Year Design Students, 2014)
Figure 15: Link bridges for HERB trade Figure 16: Life beneath Motorways
17. Figure 17: The inhabitation of space socio-economic-spatial interrelationships (Del Monaco 2014)
19. There is a disconnection between ideology, practice and society /
environment. This paper looks toward a humanistic approach to the
design of urban spaces in order to create holistic urban environments
that are characterised by the layering of the tangible and the
intangible attributes of space, with people as the central focus. The
design of urban spaces invariably involves the creation of artificial
space. However, it is argued that a collaborative, PARTICIPATORY
and interdisciplinary approach
PEDAGOGIC IMPLICATIONS
20. An interdisciplinary approach to design involves the integration
of multiple domains which include, multiple intelligences, multiple
cultures and multiple perspectives. Any urban design would invariably
emanate from negotiated solutions that are never determinate but
rather, responsive, adaptive and, therefore, indeterminate.
KEY TO THIS IS THE INCLUSION OF THE “COMMON” PERSON ON THE
GROUND WHO FACES THE REALITIES OF URBAN SURVIVAL, WHO HAS
DEVELOPED RESILIENCE – LEADS TO FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY AND
ACTIVATION OF URBAN SPATIALWASTE
Perception: Where do we look, and How do we see?
Where are our sources of precedent?
What are appropriate case studies?
KEY QUESTIONS MOVING FORWARD
22. [1] Alexander, C., A city is not a tree. Design, London Council of Industrial Design, 206, pp. 1-17, 1966.
[2] Dovey, K., Informal urbanism as resilient assemblages; Melbourne School of Design, University of
Melbourne, Online. www.indahwidiastuti911.files.wordpress.com. Accessed: 26 February 2014.
[3] Lynch, K., The Image of the City, The Technology Press & Harvard University Press: Cambridge, pp. 1-
117, 1960.
[4] McDonough, W. & Braungart, M., The next industrial revolution. The Atlantic, October 1998.
[5] Menin, S., Constructing Place: Mind & Matter, Routledge: London and New York, 2003.
[6] Rosenberg, L., Vahed, G., Hassim, A., Moodley, S. & Singh, K., The Making of Place: The Warwick
Junction Precinct, Durban University of Technology Press: Durban, 2013.
[7] Trancik, R., Finding Lost Space, Van Nostrand: New York, pp. 97-124, 1986.
REFERENCES
23. LIST of FIGURES
Figure 1: Carbon Footprint. www.hotelzon.com
Figure 2: Carbon footprint. www.beagreencommuter.com
Figure 3: Eco-efficiency measuring tools. words.mixedbredie.com
Figure 4: urban spatial waste
Figure 5: Elements of the city as perceivable objects. Brokenboxdesigns.blogspot.com
Figure 6: Pruitt Igoe Housing. www.suite.io
Figure 7: Traditional City Form. Trancik. 1986
Figure 8: Modern City Form. Trancik. 1986
Figure 9: FIGURE GROUND DRAWING: Nolli’s Map of Rome 1748 (Trancik, 1986).
Figure 10: elements of Legibility (Lynch, 1960)
Figure 11: Aerial map indicating Albert Park and Warwick Junction Precinct
(Adapted from Rosenberg et al, 2013).
Figure 12: Figure Ground Drawing: Showing the Warwick Precinct – circled in Red
Figure 13: Warwick – Responsive Growth. Adapted from Dobrev. 2011
Figure 14: Link bridges for trade, connecting Berea Station to Warwick Avenue
(Govender, V., Maharaj, S., Pillay, D., Ramchund, A. : DUT, Third Year Design Students, 2014)
Figure 15: Link bridges for HERB trade. Photograph by Griffin. Cptadventures2014.blogspot.com
Figure 16: Life beneath Motorways. www.flickr.com
Figure 17: The inhabitation of space socio-economic-spatial interrelationships (Del Monaco 2014)
Figure 18: Adaptable Activation of Space (Author 2014)
