01 Fig.

6 Work in progress

Fig. 7 Next page: Change in urban fabric, Phumolong, Mamelodi

change as process

Built environments have ...to be understood

in terms of several different timescales over
which they change, in terms of moving
images and ideas in flux (Grok, 1992: 15).
 Problem Statement

Architectural design and its realisation

is often considered as final. Despite this
expectation, very few buildings remain
idea brief conception true to their original design purpose.

Architecture as Process

Architecture is a process, from the

initial design conception on paper to
its realisation through construction and
occupation construction investigation
functional operation. Among others it
exists as physical manifestation space and
place, however the passage of experience.
Architecture is not merely a product
representing the conclusion, but subsists
through time by an ongoing process of
learning and reacting to its ever changing
expansion adaptation demolition
input variables. Ultimately it is a process
Fig. 8 Parts of the architectural process of cognition.

Change

Change within the built environment and

buildings are inevitable. This aspect should
be embraced by designing for it from
conception, through evolutionary existence
and even past its destruction. Architecture
is as result of an environments continued
capability of responding.

In the publication The Idea of Building,

Two adjacent buildings built about 1850 The somewhat altered two buildings in 1993 author Stephan Grok describes the
fundamental flows of energy and matter
Fig. 9 The front cover of How Buildings Learn, by author Stewart Brand, epitomises the unavoidable nature
of a buildings need to change, whilst the original blueprints impose guidelines for future intervention.

10 architecture as process
which impinge upon buildings, and Change is unpredictable. No design can
their occupants, and the consequences accurately predict future conditions, but
of these flows in terms of buildings it should consider time and its changing
as complex systems of reservoirs requirements. A good design should be
(Grok, 1992: 7). A building (or any accommodating of chaotic future actions
entity for that matter) envisaged as a without losing functional efficiency. In
complete whole undermines the critical the publication entitled How Buildings
performance of its constituent parts. A Learn, Brand argues that time is needed
1863 - The original Cliff House restaurant, 1946 - Restaurant & worlds largest curio shop
building cannot be a static whole as it to correct mistakes (Brand, 1995: 64). San Fransico, USA
exists in an environment of flux. Its parts However, in contrast to the static nature
respond continuously and dynamically of the built environment, new usages
to the vast array of forces inflicted upon persistently retire or reshape buildings
the system in order to allow the whole to (Brand, 1995: 2). Brand further argues
survive in a constant state of quasi-static that when we deal with buildings we
equilibrium. These built reservoirs deal with decisions taken long ago for
experience turbulence throughout their remote reasons (Brand, 1995: 2).
lifetime. A well designed reservoir should
be capable of accommodating such An Alternative Option 1878 - Gambling casino 1954 - Restaurant

change in flows of energy. A building

system is a responsive environment A built system capable of learning and
reacting to a change by force, man- evolving in time, integrating change
made and natural, emanating from the within the system could be described as
intense advancement in technology and an alternative to the above. According to
services, forces derived from diverse Brand it is necessary to design for future
cultures, social change, real-estate value, scenarios by devising an adaptive 1973 - Restaurant

climatic conditions and usage. Grok strategy that is exceptionally alert to

further argues that buildings have to be changing events and can adjust quickly 1900 - Private amusement palace, restaurant
and ballroom
understood in terms of several different (Brand, 1995: 183). Therefore any built
timescales over which they change, in system should be adaptable and flexible
terms of moving images and ideas in throughout its life span, acting as a
flux (Grok, 1992: 15). response to ever-changing conditions
1991 - Restaurant
and paradigm shifts. Grok refers to
Most design choices are made within an the capability of different social uses, The illustrations above depict a programme that remained
isolated environment allowing limited whilst flexibility encompasses different largely unaltered. However, time necessitated various changes
to the built form.
understanding of future conditions. physical changes (Grok, 1992: 15).
1910 - Restaurant
Fig. 10 Change over time

architecture as process 11
 Energy, Synergy and
Autonomity

Architects have a duty to formulate

sustainable designs for the future because
the built environment has wide ranging
effects over an extended period of time.

The theory of Arcology, established by

architect Paolo Soleri, aims to embody
Hyper Building Energy Water conservation
the fusion of architecture and ecology
promoting a more frugal, efficient and
intelligent city design (Arconsanti, [sa]:
2) this is achieved through a symbiotic
relationship between parts and whole.
It encourages a healthy system through
the interaction of the parts. Ultimately,
Arcology seeks to create an autonomous
Energy source (self-sufficient) system operating on the
Fig. 11 The Hyper Building, accommodating residential, commercial and scale of buildings, or on the larger macro
agricultural activities is a conceptual Arcology by Paolo Soleri
scale of cities. These systems act in an
intelligent manner, responding to direct and
indirect forces of the built environment. In
addition, these systems seek to produce
their own energy and operate off-grid,
remaining largely independent of off-site
supplied services. The approach finds
validity where development takes place
within an informal settlement, because
of limited infrastructure and services.
However, a synergistic infrastructure is
essential to operate an autonomous system.
Soleris Third Generation Arcology
incorporates modular and possibly
standardised structures (which) would be
Fig. 12 The Earthship, built mainly from recycled materials, the sustainability centre Fig. 13 A pavilion based on the arcology theory,
uses renewable energy and water recycling strategies to increase its self-efficiency. Hanover Expo, 2000.

12 architecture as process
articulated in a variety of arrangements a chaotic system responsible for its
to fit specific conditions (Arconsanti, dynamic stability. Dissipative systems
[sa]: 2). Resource efficiency is coherent include convection, cyclones and
throughout the theory of Arcology. hurricanes. To this list can be added
Energy extraction and circulation in the informal settlements. The environments
built configuration is integral to maintain of these settlements exist in a quasi-
a continued existence. Expanding state of equilibrium. In addition, their
on Soleris hypothesis, architecture existence is provisional and depends
should consider future adaptations of largely on the carrying capacity of the
the building. Although an autonomous land and external forces. This dissipative
system might prove difficult, appropriate system exists as a complex configured
technology could increase its level of arrangement of multiple systems in
independence. impermanent synergy. A cyclone, is an
example of a dissipative system, makes
Dissipative Systems use of a constant uninterrupted flow
of absorbed energy to sustain its form.
Architecture may be perceived to The cyclone will eventually cease upon
behave as a dissipative system, complex the disruption of the system. Informal
by nature, subsisting through a perpetual settlements experience a continuous, yet Fig. 14 Government subsidised house requiring owner to fund
exchange of energy across its dynamic fluctuating exchange of matter and flow any new additions, Mamelodi, 2008.

boundaries. Architecture is reserved as of energy. This is comprised of users,

an evolving stage for the user, but it is passer-bys, electricity and water among
situated within a larger ecosystem. others. The discontinuation of one of
these forces will influence the system
Dissipative systems (or dissipative and its ability to function.
structures) not only maintain
themselves in a stable state far from Conclusion
equilibrium, but may even evolve.
When the flow of energy and matter The above theories and systems
through them increases, they may go represent idealistic extremes that should
through new instabilities and transform be balanced within the pragmatic
themselves into new structures of requirements of the existing. In addition,
increased complexity (Encyclopedia the reality of the situation, with emphasis
of Human Thermodynamics, 2009: on site and environment should be
3). Most organic forms depend upon considered as the primary design force.
Fig. 15 Additions and alterations
expected and encouraged

architecture as process 13