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Design methods and theories
Bayazit, N and Ozsoy, A 'Comparison of users' and architects' behaviours in subsidized cooperative housing in Turkey' Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 No 1 (January March 1980) pp 11-21 This study aims at shedding some light on the behavioural differences between the architect and the user in subsidized cooperative housing in Turkey. At present most of the subsidized cooperative housing projects are designed by professional architects. Relations between the user and the architect weaken as the n u m b e r of inhabitants increases. Under these circumstances users alter their dwelling unit on their own within their economical power. The object of the study is not only to provide a useful feedback to designers on the problems of user-designer behavioural differences, but it also aims at showing the behaviour setting of an inexperienced architect working on a problem with incomplete knowledge.
Cohen, L Z 'A sensible analysis of language and meaning in architecture' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 58-65 Contemporary architectural literature contains an abundance of works concerned with the language and meaning of architecture. The use of the words 'language' and 'meaning' is not new to the philosophy or criticism of architecture. What is new is the a t t e m p t to explicate these concepts with the terminology and theory of semiotics, or the theory of signs. While this is an admirable pursuit, the effort has not been carried out with precision, accuracy, or thoroughness. In fact, the present accounts as they appear in Broadbent and Jeneks are incorrect. This paper argues that architecture as a system of signs is not a language. A typology and analysis of h o w buildings or parts of buildings eonvey meanings is developed. Some case studies are examined using the previously developed theory. Demel, J 'User's characteristic of the GQVM programme' "Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 3/4 (1980) p 123 The GQVM program is intended for the analysis of stochastic network diagrams by the simulation method by means o f random digits. In comparison with the GERT method this program makes it possible to model more problems of queueing theory.
Ferguson, B E 'General theory of the land planning problem' Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 75-89 In recent years there has been much progress in such areas of land planning as site analysis, impact and suitability analyses, the contributing environmental sciences, the contributing engineering sciences and land-use-type applications. Although research in these ,and other areas is far from over, the intent of this paper is to incorporate the current state of these developments in a general theory of land planning based on the decision-
176
making sciences and space planning theory in particular. By generalizing diverse areas of research and relating that research to broader theory, this paper attempts to provide a framework which can direct and control future land planning applications, allow cross-fertilization among areas of land planning (such as urban site planning and forestry) that have seldom communicated before, and set priorities for further research.
Fonesca, R q h e graphic analysis of land use and built form' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 1 (January-March 1980) pp 38-47 This paper tries to sort out and clarify the relationships between the five key variables of density, site cover, floor space per capita, building height and plot ratio. After first pointing out the difficulties encountered in dealing with contradictory regulations governing land use, and the reasons for the c o m m o n errors of equating high rise structures with high densities and high intensity use of land, the author goes on to model relationships between the key variables in a set of graphs. The paper concludes with the development of a composite graph, and a step-wise procedure for its use. Two in-depth examples illustrate the use of the graph to facilitate the analysis of land use and the delimiting of solution space.
Haas, S 'Individual and series production in the design of buildings' "Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 No 3/4 (1980) pp 11 71 22 It is of decisive importance for the organization of production, whether the product will be produced individually or in series. The definition of these two categories is not easy. If we regard the problem from the narrow product viewpoint only series production will result in products of identical function, type and quahty, while these principle parameters will vary in the products produced individually. However, if we approach the problem from a wider system -- viewpoint, we must define series and individual (piece) production not only in terms of final products, but also in terms of the parts (assemblies, elements) of which the product consists as well as in terms of factories (plants) in which the individual elements are produced. Koberg, D 'Universality of process: to see them all is to see but one' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 1 (January-March 1980) pp 25-34 The author discusses various approaches to problem-solving techniques under the headings : successful attainment of intended objectives: two views; process and method: not process as method; and a comparison of procedures. Krejcirik, M 'The system for a computerized design of housing ensembles' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 66-74
Since the Second World War, there has been much effort in Czechoslovakia in the field of housing construction in terms of typification, as well as a tendency towards a gradual passage from individual constructions to the building of large housing ensembles. The typification does not include only construction elements and systems, but also design solutions of residential buildings. How can a synthesis be reached between the architectonic intension and the social, technical and economic requirements?
Mann, T 'Places and occasions' Design Methodsand Theories Vol 14 No 2 (AprilJune 1980) pp 51-57 At the core of the methodological difficulties of any discipline lies the question of the conceptual framework within which to discuss its subject matter. This question becomes more ciritical in times of uncertainty about aims and methods. Architecture is confronted with it no less than other disciplines, and perhaps more so. Reorientations in both perceived aims of the profession and the methods with which these aims are to be pursued often are concomitant with or triggered by the introduction of new conceptual vocabularies. Some recent contributions to this continuing discourse deserve comment and scrutiny, as well as some additional suggestion. Mann, T 'Some limitations of the argumentative model of design' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 1 (January-March 1980) pp 1-10 Claims about the argumentative model of design include the view that this paradigm is more general and embracing than others, since the contributions of other models are easily accommodated as issues and arguments within an argumentative discourse. However, the model is not without its own intrinsic bias and limitations. These may prove particularly critical for its 'instrumental versions', ie proposals for planning procedures and planning information systems. These limitations are discussed starting from a scrutiny of some underlying assumptions and recommendations of the model. Nasar, J L q-hird generation design methods' Design Methods and Theories Vol 1 4 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 90-92 In discussions about design methods, valid arguments have been made about the weaknesses of both first and second generation design methods. In response to these arguments, this paper takes the position that through understanding the approaches and their weaknesses, it is possible to derive an approach which minimizes the weaknesses of each and maintains their strengths. This paper describes the methods in general terms, and proposes an alternative.
Saaty, T L and Beltran, M H 'Architectural design by the analytic hierarchy process'
DESIGN STUDIES
Cohen, L Z 'A sensible analysis of language and meaning in architecture' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 58-65 Contemporary architectural literature contains an abundance of works concerned with the language and meaning of architecture. The use of the words 'language' and 'meaning' is not new to the philosophy or criticism of architecture. What is new is the a t t e m p t to explicate these concepts with the terminology and theory of semiotics, or the theory of signs. While this is an admirable pursuit, the effort has not been carried out with precision, accuracy, or thoroughness. In fact, the present accounts as they appear in Broadbent and Jeneks are incorrect. This paper argues that architecture as a system of signs is not a language. A typology and analysis of h o w buildings or parts of buildings eonvey meanings is developed. Some case studies are examined using the previously developed theory. Demel, J 'User's characteristic of the GQVM programme' "Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 3/4 (1980) p 123 The GQVM program is intended for the analysis of stochastic network diagrams by the simulation method by means o f random digits. In comparison with the GERT method this program makes it possible to model more problems of queueing theory.
Ferguson, B E 'General theory of the land planning problem' Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 75-89 In recent years there has been much progress in such areas of land planning as site analysis, impact and suitability analyses, the contributing environmental sciences, the contributing engineering sciences and land-use-type applications. Although research in these ,and other areas is far from over, the intent of this paper is to incorporate the current state of these developments in a general theory of land planning based on the decision-
176
making sciences and space planning theory in particular. By generalizing diverse areas of research and relating that research to broader theory, this paper attempts to provide a framework which can direct and control future land planning applications, allow cross-fertilization among areas of land planning (such as urban site planning and forestry) that have seldom communicated before, and set priorities for further research.
Fonesca, R q h e graphic analysis of land use and built form' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 1 (January-March 1980) pp 38-47 This paper tries to sort out and clarify the relationships between the five key variables of density, site cover, floor space per capita, building height and plot ratio. After first pointing out the difficulties encountered in dealing with contradictory regulations governing land use, and the reasons for the c o m m o n errors of equating high rise structures with high densities and high intensity use of land, the author goes on to model relationships between the key variables in a set of graphs. The paper concludes with the development of a composite graph, and a step-wise procedure for its use. Two in-depth examples illustrate the use of the graph to facilitate the analysis of land use and the delimiting of solution space.
Haas, S 'Individual and series production in the design of buildings' "Design Methods and Theories Vol 14 No 3/4 (1980) pp 11 71 22 It is of decisive importance for the organization of production, whether the product will be produced individually or in series. The definition of these two categories is not easy. If we regard the problem from the narrow product viewpoint only series production will result in products of identical function, type and quahty, while these principle parameters will vary in the products produced individually. However, if we approach the problem from a wider system -- viewpoint, we must define series and individual (piece) production not only in terms of final products, but also in terms of the parts (assemblies, elements) of which the product consists as well as in terms of factories (plants) in which the individual elements are produced. Koberg, D 'Universality of process: to see them all is to see but one' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 1 (January-March 1980) pp 25-34 The author discusses various approaches to problem-solving techniques under the headings : successful attainment of intended objectives: two views; process and method: not process as method; and a comparison of procedures. Krejcirik, M 'The system for a computerized design of housing ensembles' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 66-74
Since the Second World War, there has been much effort in Czechoslovakia in the field of housing construction in terms of typification, as well as a tendency towards a gradual passage from individual constructions to the building of large housing ensembles. The typification does not include only construction elements and systems, but also design solutions of residential buildings. How can a synthesis be reached between the architectonic intension and the social, technical and economic requirements?
Mann, T 'Places and occasions' Design Methodsand Theories Vol 14 No 2 (AprilJune 1980) pp 51-57 At the core of the methodological difficulties of any discipline lies the question of the conceptual framework within which to discuss its subject matter. This question becomes more ciritical in times of uncertainty about aims and methods. Architecture is confronted with it no less than other disciplines, and perhaps more so. Reorientations in both perceived aims of the profession and the methods with which these aims are to be pursued often are concomitant with or triggered by the introduction of new conceptual vocabularies. Some recent contributions to this continuing discourse deserve comment and scrutiny, as well as some additional suggestion. Mann, T 'Some limitations of the argumentative model of design' Design Methods and Theories Vo114 No 1 (January-March 1980) pp 1-10 Claims about the argumentative model of design include the view that this paradigm is more general and embracing than others, since the contributions of other models are easily accommodated as issues and arguments within an argumentative discourse. However, the model is not without its own intrinsic bias and limitations. These may prove particularly critical for its 'instrumental versions', ie proposals for planning procedures and planning information systems. These limitations are discussed starting from a scrutiny of some underlying assumptions and recommendations of the model. Nasar, J L q-hird generation design methods' Design Methods and Theories Vol 1 4 No 2 (April-June 1980) pp 90-92 In discussions about design methods, valid arguments have been made about the weaknesses of both first and second generation design methods. In response to these arguments, this paper takes the position that through understanding the approaches and their weaknesses, it is possible to derive an approach which minimizes the weaknesses of each and maintains their strengths. This paper describes the methods in general terms, and proposes an alternative.
Saaty, T L and Beltran, M H 'Architectural design by the analytic hierarchy process'
DESIGN STUDIES