Thesis Abstract 1+3

The effect of the built environment on human behavior as seen through the design of low-no income housing communities in the Philippines.

Those who hold the theory of environmental/architectural determinism valid believe that one’s surroundings has a significant influence on his/her actions. This theory introduces the idea that changes in landscaped and architectural elements of the environment will result in changes in behavior, social behavior in particular. Accepting this philosophy as truth, this project examines how it can apply to the redesign of squattertowns in the Philippines; not only changing the behaviors and lifestyle of their inhabitants but in turn also changing an outsider’s attitude towards these poor communities.

New 1+3+9

The effect of the built environment on human behavior as seen through the design of low-no income housing communities in the Philippines.

There is a difference of opinion about the amount of influence that one’s surroundings has on human behavior, ranging from absolutely no impact to being the only thing that has influence on our actions. The latter notion is held by those with deterministic beliefs. Those who find architectural determinism valid believe that changes in landscaped and architectural elements of the environment will result in changes in behavior, social behavior in particular.

As architects, we have the power to influence one’s surroundings and mold environments. The psychological theory of environmental determinism states that it is the physical environment, not social conditions, that determines culture and behavior. This notion of determinism leads to the ideas that the creation of the built environment is not just about functionality and aesthetics/visual pleasure, but has a much greater influence on its occupants’ conduct and consequently the human psyche. Currently, in the Philippines, there are a number of towns resurrected by those living in poverty. Most of these houses are rundown and unsafe, therefore making the community feel uninviting and somewhat dangerous. Looking at how these homes are built and suggesting a redesign, not only of the single family home but of the community layout, may impact these poverty stricken communities in a positive way. Finding a safer yet cheap way of construction will improve a family’s comfort level. Strategically designing the layout of a community can promote positive social interaction. Through changing the living/built environment we in turn are capable of changing human interaction and behavior.

Respose to McMorrough Reading

In his article, “Notes on the Adaptive Re-use of Program,” McMorrough addresses the use of program in today’s architecture. He views program as a starting point of a project. “It’s the first thing you are given to start a project in school and the thing you wait on from a client in practice.” Program can’t be avoided, it must be addressed sooner or later. McMorrough discusses how program is used early in the design process with the familiar phrase “form follows function.” It is a common approach to design which most of us have used at some point. But as McMorrough says program is typically given to us, whether we are students or practicing architects. With this thesis project, we have control over everything; it is up to us to decide what our program will be. Personally, I still haven’t decided on a definite program as of yet. I am still playing with multiple possibilities, trying to decide what program would best address my general concept of the built environment’s effect on human behavior.

Besides discussing how program is approached, McMorrough also addresses the concern of programmatic failure. The inflexibility of program or programmatic based form may, over time, result in not meeting the needs of its users and therefore causing the building to be “obsolete.” If “the time frame of obsolescence is exceedingly brief, such that initial use cannot be accommodated at all, this condition may be categorized as programmatic failure.” In order to avoid programmatic failure, it’s important to begin with a good grasp of the program and how it is related to and later exhibited in the form of a building itself. It will be good to keep this in mind, after I actually define my program.

Concept Sketch3

The Muses are Not Amused

In his article “The Muses Are Not Amused,” Silvetti addresses a shift in the methods of form-making, particularly in an academic setting. He is concerned that certain aspects in form-making today (such as turning representations or diagrams of data into the architecture itself or creating random blob forms with computer programs just because it’s possible due to the current advancements in computer technology) have hindered the architect’s creativity and control over his or her work. Although I understand his concern and agree with him to an extent, I think that he tends to generalize his accusations. For instance, he talks about Blob architecture, in general, as not requiring much intellectual thought. He states that people generate these buildings just because they can; there are no referents considered. This perception can’t be applied to every obscured building in existence. There are “Blob” buildings that do consider site, context, occupancy, etc.
I remember a discussion we had with Steve Lee after reading “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.” We had to classify ourselves and our approach to architecture as either being classic or romantic; were we form finders or form makers. The result was that most of us considered ourselves a little of both, which I think shows promise. It shows that we aren’t people who strictly fall into one category or another (Silvetti’s categories being programism, thematization, blobs, and literalism). I think our education today gives us the opportunity to explore different ways of defining form and computer technology is a tool that helps us to explore more possibilities but not forget or disregard fundamental processes or strategies of form-making.

1+3+9

The effect of the built environment on human behavior

There is a difference of opinion about the amount of influence that one’s surroundings has on human behavior, ranging from absolutely no impact to being the only thing that has influence on our actions. The latter notion is held by those with deterministic beliefs. Those who find architectural determinism valid believe that changes in landscaped and architectural elements of the environment will result in changes in behavior, social behavior in particular.

As architects, we have the power to influence one’s surroundings and mold environments. The psychological theory of environmental determinism states that it is the physical environment, not social conditions, that determines culture and behavior. This notion of determinism leads to the ideas that the creation of the built environment is not just about functionality and aesthetics/visual pleasure, but has a much greater influence on its occupants’ conduct and consequently the human psyche. There are a number of well-known psychological studies and theories (ex. classical and operant conditioning) that show evidence of behavior being determined by external forces. Architecture can be considered as one of these external forces. In the nineteenth century, cities were overcrowded and living conditions for the average worker were horrendous. Social critics (ex. Jacob Riis) became aware that there was a strong correlation between unpleasant living conditions and the occupant’s social and psychological conditions. There are still areas throughout the world that have people living in unfavorable settings; this leads to the question of how their everyday environment is affecting their role of conduct and mental health. The ideas of environmental and architectural determinism give us, as architects, the impression that we have the ability to transform someone’s life. Through changing the environment we in turn are capable of changing human behavior.

First Concept Sketch

Visiting the Philippines for the first time (in my teenage years) made such impact on me. The culture and environment was so different than here in the United States. What I noticed is that tourists usually stay within the confines of Metro Manila, the city full of tall buildings, nice hotels, and huge shopping malls. Since most of my family lives in Manila, I was able to look at the communities lying outside Metro Manila. These are the places that I think of when I think of Manila. They are places that are dirty, run-down and crowded and they are located all over Manila. Although my aunt lives in a nice subdivision, right behind the wall of the community is an even larger community of “squatters.” These people make use of whatever materials they can find to make homes. Their homes are tiny and piled up right against and on top of each other. This is just a starting point but maybe there’s a way to create cheap but safer living environments for the people who live here.

Mateo Reading Response

Mateo’s article focuses on the process of design. This process is described as having and moving toward a fixed direction (moving from the abstract to the material or concrete). According to Mateo, a project begins with something he described as a “phantom” that has no precise boundaries. Therefore, there are many possibilities and ideas to be explored. Once this phantom is established, hierarchies are defined in order to establish systems of order and dictate an internal structure. The final stage is bringing the “phantom” into material form and seeing what this object will be in reality.

The article is both helpful and interesting, because it seems to offer a view from a professor’s perspective. This article may act as a guide on how to go about starting and following through with a project as well as warns us about certain dangers that may lead us off track. One particular danger that I understand from experience is that ideas shouldn’t imply a specific form. Mateo states that “Geometry, volume and plan are always a result, never an end in themselves (in the latter case they become an oppressive, constricting straitjacket.” I believe that I’ve fallen into this trap a few times before. There have been times when I quickly adapted a certain form or layout early in the process. Eventually it became harder to develop the project further because I was stuck on a certain form and timid to step away from it. In general, the article focuses not only on how to design a building but how to create and drive a project. I see why this article is the first reading assigned to us, because essentially, for thesis prep, we are taking over this role (usually held by our professors) of defining a project that is set toward a fixed direction of our choosing.