Frontier02_One Step Beyond - Preparations

In preparation for this frontier, we were tasked as the final year students (M2's) to summarize the main thoughts behind our work in 2015, and demonstrate the points that resonated with the direction of Unit13 for 2016... Having considered the relationship between these two, we can begin preparing initial statements towards our Major Design Project/Thesis for the year.

The following slides were my initial attempt at a simple summary of these thoughts in the 5 minutes given, bridging the transition from Unit2 (2015) to Unit13...

1. Recognizing complexity in the Built Envitonment

2. Considering the Built Environment as a living system

3. Appreciating the value of people and society in architecture

4. Ambitions towards innovative design responses

I place myself as the bridge between the idea explored in Unit2 and the future pursuits of Unit13

Architectural Manifesto - Video

The systemic framework
Architecture exists as a part of the complex, dynamic and self-governing system of the built environment, a part of the built fabric of society in which every day behavior, culture and practices, are intricately related to the notion of place. Thus is defined the architect’s field of operation, which involves peoples individual and collective customs & daily rituals, staged on the platform of space. To this, we hold to these principles:

Recognizing complexity, designing simplicity
Understanding the systemic complexity of the collective users, space, and built form of a place; as well as the unique nature of relationships between these, is a driver for context sensitive spatial design responses. Familiarity with the complexity and processes is a generator for simple, meaningful responses. 

People in mind
A place is not only its material, but also its inhabitants, and their complex, layered practices. Thus the dynamic nature of users (collective and individual) in the making and sustaining of a place is to be kept in mind. 

Designing impact
Understanding the complexity of a context, it is within the reach of spatial designers to make an intentional, considered impact, through design, for the benefit of users. 
What architecture does is just as important as what it is, and more important that what it looks like: if what it looks like does not contribute to what it does (This referring to the effect and impact of architecture, rather that programmatic function).

A catalytic agent 
The complex nature of the built environment is greater than the architect. In designing impact, architecture is thus a catalyst, a means to the end of contributing to the system: spatially, aesthetically, functionally or whatever opportunity a place invites of the spatial designer. The architect is thus contributor and not as controller, and architecture is thus a valuable (yet limited) instrument.