Liran Roy
M.Sc.Thesis, 2005
(together with Aravot Iris)
ABSTRACT:
This work will show a conceptually unified yet practical framework for the understanding of the various structures that make the composition of architecture and other professions engaged in planning and design.
The paper shows a “Bi-polar Hierarchical Model of Consistency” – a worldview division of four types of ethical orders: the physical, the biological, the socio-cultural, and the intellectual. These are layered along a bi-polar hierarchy, consisting of a structural dependency in one direction, and of a dependency of meaning on the other. Each quality order is defined by uniquely different sets of logics, processes, and boundaries.
Next are listed design criteria deduced from the world-model, set along the bi-polar hierarchy in four sections of the world model. This list provides a sort of a checklist for practice, evaluation, and education, so as to provide for a sound and consistent profession – an ecological architecture.
Finally, an assessment tool is shown, using the defined criteria on projects to create project-specific DNA-like characteristics’ spreads, thereby providing easy access for discovering advantages and disadvantages. This tool is explained by showing logic and methodology plus detailing some assessment examples, each observed from different points of view.
The purpose of sketching such a framework is to provide a common basis for a complete system for architects and planners to use in designing; for the evaluation of the ‘architectural project’ as a tool for decision makers and interest groups to evaluate and be able to choose between different alternatives in an informed manner; and for teachers of a very difficult to teach craft.