PSU-Correlation Course 2 April 1, 2019

ISSUES ON THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE

Theory of Architecture

“The theory of architecture may be defined as embracing the comprehensive and

consistent organization of its facts and principles. In this sense any architectural activity whatever
necessarily implies the use of theory. If the theory used is sound, thought and action will be more
certain of success. Thus, every building design and every architectural curriculum presupposes
an adequate theory and, in turn, inevitably reveals the quality of the theory on which it is
based.”(American Institute of Architects)

Theory of architecture does not mean the whole body of scientific and technical knowledge
that concerns the profession of architecture, but it means the basic principles which distinguish
the work of an architect from the work of any other professional men loosely allied with the field
of architecture. It mainly deals with the fundamental nature of architecture and includes the
analytical study of the evolution of architectural forms.

THEORY PRACTICE
“Practice without Theory is blind,
Theory without practice is sterile.” Karl Marx (1819-83)

“Theory without Practice is useless” | “Practice without Theory is dangerous”

1. Putting Architectural Theory in Actual Practice | Kelvin Bwamu

The built environment has the capacity to shape a people’s thinking, interactions and even
culture. This is the kind of power that exists in an Architect’s hand. It is the power to create
something from nothing and in the process solve societal problems. In light of this, he think the
work that an Architect does must be seriously informed by not only set rules and guidelines (like
council by-laws), but by centuries of documented research and experience in form of Architectural
theory. Many people in history have written on theory of design and the design process including
an Architect known as Salingaros.

Salingaros describes architecture (or at least architecture that he terms “adaptive”) as a

characteristic phenomenon of Emergence. His(Kelvin) interpretation of this is that design is
informed by small components interacting to form bigger ones and slowly evolving into a solution.
He further states “It is generally acknowledged nowadays that Architectural theory has
degenerated into a narrow point of view, neglecting architectural space and meaning.”
He has a model that judges the success of Architecture by the quality of life in a building.

He further states “It is generally acknowledged nowadays that Architectural theory has
degenerated into a narrow point of view, neglecting architectural space and meaning.” He has a
model that judges the success of Architecture by the quality of life in a building. This in my opinion
is great foundation for any Architect working on a design solution. The Architect must understand
and apply architectural space and meaning in his designs. This is however difficult without the
proper backing of Architectural theory, thankfully taught in the school of Architecture.
I find sometimes a slight disconnect between the theory of Architecture taught in school and the
actual practice. Many of us Architects often after completing our course, get into the job market
and begin working only to realize after a few years that you have been drafting and not designing
like you were taught in school. You realize that the things that you were hard pressed to mention
in your presentations in school hardly ever come up in conversation or even in presentation with
colleagues or to a client.

In my opinion, Architectural theory is what separates the Architect from a draughtsman,

because Architecture is not about drawing walls and labeling the room but about the creation and
manipulation of spaces guided by laid down principles of designing a livable environment. Without
the foundation of Architectural theory informing your design, it may prove difficult to convince one
that you are aware of what you are doing.

I believe that this is why walking into some recently finished apartments today can leave
a bad taste in your mouth asking yourself whether the apartment was actually designed by an
Architect and if that Architect would be confident to admit the same. No ergonomics, no privacy
gradient, little or no natural lighting, poor access etc. Some of the mistakes we see in these
buildings are not a result of poor construction passé but start from poor design and I believe a
lack of proper application of Architectural design theory.

I am of the opinion that architecture is becoming more commercial by the day, and there
is nothing wrong with that. But it is the responsibility of the Architect to retain the integrity of the
profession. The evolving times should not in any way compromise the method of design and
application of informed design.
I submit that I didn’t pay much attention in the theory classes in campus, but I wish I did pay a
little more attention than I did as it has led to some hard lessons in practice. Much as I pointed
earlier that there is a disconnect between Architectural theory and practice, this shouldn’t be so.

I often hear people mentioning to Architects, “Please do for me a quick design” and I’m
normally tempted to react and tell them that there’s nothing like a quick design. Design takes time
and evolves according to many different factors and that design is informed and not generated by
my computer.

It is the Architect’s responsibility to educate their client appropriately especially when they
come with ridiculous expectations for the perceived end. The client should be able to understand
what the Architect means when they say they are designing. Some, honestly think it’s a click
away, clearly they don’t understand design. But they are not Architects, so they are allowed to
think as such.

The only way however this can be successfully achieved is by overlooking self and seeing
the greater good, that is, to design the built environment fit for human habitation and this by
extension will be achieved by applying the basic Architectural theory in the designs.

The common problems we see in some designs today e.g. over crowding, lack of open
spaces, insufficient parking, poor access to buildings (especially in emergencies), poor lighting
and ventilation etc. will be addressed by us, the community of Architects. How else will these be
solved if we do not apply the basic architectural principles propagated in the theory of
Architecture?
 2. Conflict between Theory and Actual Practice

Theory of Architecture Actual Practice

The theory of architecture is the Practical knowledge can often lead to

centre of the architectural activity, a deeper understanding of a concept
and the circumference refers to through the act of doing and personal
the scope of practice, and the experience.
Definition range of ideals aimed at.
Theoretical knowledge can often
lead to a deeper understand of a
concept through seeing it in
context of a greater whole and
understanding the why behind it.

Planning

Construction
Method/Process
Construction
Materials

These two opposing views may leave today’s architect at a bit of a loss. Discarding theory
entirely and creating buildings within the moment –without much thought to how that building
relates to the past, present and future – would leave us without much more than a mindless
collection of spaces. Meanwhile, holding too closely to hypothetical ideas and situations instead
of directly focusing on the needs and problems of real people puts the architect out of touch.
Balancing Theory and Reality

Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright was a master at balancing theory and reality. By
developing his own set of general principles to operate within, he then adjusted them to match
the specific requirements of each building he worked on. And, while he held a steadfast belief in
his theories, he was not unwilling to respond to client requests and to the constantly fluctuating
design world.

Architecture is a Practice

Much like doctors practice medicine and lawyers practice law – architects practice
architecture. Practice implies not just theory, but the correct understanding and application of
theory. And while fully understanding the entire scope of architectural theory sounds daunting,
understanding the fundamental principles of design is both necessary and achievable.

It is the core concepts of architectural theory that give the constantly changing design and
building industry something to revolve around. As Wright put it, “the circumference of architecture
is shifting but the centre remains unchanged.” That centre comes not only from architectural
theory, but from the core principles ingrained in each architect through careful study, analysis and
experience.

The importance of theory in clarifying the confusion of ideas cannot be over-emphasized.

Practice always implies theory. Good practice depends on the correct understanding of
theory. If the theory of architecture is properly studied and followed in practice, the present
confusion will greatly be reduced.

Theoretical knowledge alone will not be enough to learn something. Practicals are critically
important, for sure. Ideally you should have both inorder to learn/ acquire anything new or
to update on something.