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.

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

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

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Figure 4: urban spatial waste

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

Mc Donough et al [4]) - eco-efficiency attempt to lessen damage of industrial production.

HOWEVER, What about the production of Urban environments?

Figure 6: Pruitt Igoe Housing Figure 7

measurement of spatial waste has not been a significant focus of eco-efficiency measurement.

Figure 8

Abstract Methods of URBAN ANALYSIS and URBAN DESIGN

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS: • How are Designers Taught? • How do Designers Learn?

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

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)

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…

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

ADAPTIVE RE-USE OF URBAN SPATIAL WASTE

The Case of the Warwick Junction Precinct The vitalisation of space through Human

Resilience

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

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

Figure 17: The inhabitation of space socio-economic-spatial interrelationships (Del Monaco 2014)

Figure 18: Adaptable Activation of Space (Author 2014)

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

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 SPATIAL WASTE

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

THE BEGINNING…

THANK YOU

… and finally,

[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

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)