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Reappropriating Typology: Evaluating How We Can Reconsider Typology in an Era of Building Adaptation

Part 2 Dissertation 2024
William Lambert
University of Westminster | UK
Contextual shifts within which architecture exists change the requirements of that architecture. Contemporarily, reconceived social and familial relationships demand adaptations of housing to suit variations in occupancy, while the unfolding climate crisis demands an end to architectural projects involving building demolition and new construction. Willingly or unwillingly, the architectural profession is now dominated by domestic projects involving adaptation of existing buildings. This prevailing change in the architectural landscape necessitates the reconsideration of typology.

This thesis explores the concept and evolution of typology as understood within modernist practice and its historiography – a design tool used in the pre-occupancy stages of new build projects that was notably exploited in the design of large-scale housing due to its inherent repeatability and imposition of ideas. Using an adaptation of Duffy / Brand’s ‘Shearing layers of change’ diagram as a framework, a series of contemporary case studies are evaluated that involve the provision of large-scale housing through processes of adaptation to existing buildings.

Finally, this thesis proposes how typology may be redefined in an era of building reuse to meet current contextual shifts and contingencies of building adaptation. Consequentially, architects need to shift their thinking on typology, recognising its malleability beyond the post-occupancy stage.

William Lambert

Tutor(s)
Harry Charrington
2024
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