Affordances of Architectural Typology

Abstract

“Affordances of Architectural Typology" is a concept for design-driven research that explores and advances sustainable design strategies aimed at resilient building structures but are inherently architectural in nature. As material compositions, buildings mediate between forms and functions across different timescales. Considering the “shearing layers” of a building, the primary structural system can last for hundreds of years, while non-bearing walls, surfaces, furnishings, and specific uses are more temporary. This temporal disparity creates a gap that architects bridge “designerly”—using techniques of abstraction to envision past and future forms of inhabitation and alteration, revealing the building’s fundamental character, or type. A resilient structure aligns closely with its type, a formal structure or organizational notion that imparts a recognizable order upon architectural elements. This alignment is evident in historical buildings where load-bearing elements, building volume, and rooms structurally overlap, allowing for centuries of diverse uses and adaptations. However, with modern, energy-intensive building technologies and the separation of the building envelope, this alignment becomes rare. Thus, transforming modern structures convincingly requires greater interpretation and self-determination in design.

This paper examines the affordances of architectural typologies in two directions, reflecting the authors’ expertise. First, affordances are viewed as extensions to the notion of type in architecture, illustrated with reuse projects demonstrating that beyond meeting specific functional requirements, aiming for typological clarity is key to re- establishing architectural quality and providing flexibility for future transformations. Second, for an innovative approach in resilient architectural design, there is a need to update the post-functionalist critique around the notion of ‘type’ as an epistemology of the architectural discipline. This renewal involves reusing and recycling both the knowledge and the materiality of buildings. Understanding and leveraging architectural typologies can lead to more sustainable and adaptable design practices by embracing the inherent flexibility within the temporal layers of buildings. Architects can create structures that honour their historical significance while being capable of accommodating future needs by respecting typological essence and innovating within its framework to foster resilient architecture that is both timeless and adaptable.