The question of context in architecture theory has become more complex and controversial as globalization, urbanisation and resource scarcity have added yet more layers to the debate (O’Donnell 2016:380). As these aspects increasingly enter every facet of our lives, its effect on architecture has resulted in a development approach that is exploitative of people, nature and culture (Fioramonti 2017:3). This study argues that working with scarcity in a productive manner could lead to an alternative approach for development. A critical look at the continuum of architectural discourse and its engagement with issues of context will place the debate in a broad historical context which ranges from theories posed by Vitruvius to current theories on the vernacular, to establish the role of the architect as an enabler of social space. An in-depth context analysis of the spatial logics found in Mamelodi East (City of Tshwane, South Africa) will consider the spatial relationship and rules of engagement that allow certain patterns of living and public exchange to emerge. This paper argues that there are key lessons to be learnt from this logic because of the way in which people are resolving daily problems under the construction of scarcity. Till (2014:9) argues that scarcity will become an inevitable feature of modern life. However, these limits will not lead to the end of design or an emasculated version of it, but will rather open up new fields in which the designer may operate. The strength thus lies in defining a response to a vernacular through its understanding of scarcity and the rules of engagement in which new roles and opportunities through architecture can emerge. / Konteks in argitektuurteorie word meer kompleks en kontroversieel soos globalisering, verstedeliking en hulpbronskaarste meer lae by die debat voeg (O’Donnell 2016: 380). Namate hierdie aspekte elke faset van ons lewe betree, lei dit tot ‘n ontwikkelingsbenadering wat die uitbuiting van mense, natuur en kultuur tot gevolg het (Fioramonti 2017: 3). Hierdie studie is van mening dat die produktiewe omgang met skaarste, ‘n alternatiewe benadering tot ontwikkeling kan wees. ‘n Kritiese ontleding van argitektoniese diskoers en die dissipline se betrokkenheid by kontekstuele kwessies plaas die debat in ‘n breë historiese konteks - van Vitrivius tot die hedendaagse teorieë - om sodoende die rol van die argitek as ‘n fasiliteerder van sosiale ruimte te identifiseer. ‘n In-diepte konteksanalise van die ruimtelike logika van Mamelodi- Oos (Tshwane, Suid-Afrika), sal die verhouding en onderliggende reëls vir sosiale en ruimtelike interaksie ontleed. Dit is hierdie verhouding wat sekere lewenstylpatrone en sosiale interaksie moontlik maak. Hierdie studie beweer dat daar belangrike lesse uit hierdie logika geleer kan word, omdat mense, temidde van die skaarste aan hulpbronne, hulle daaglikse probleme oplos. Till (2014:9) beweer dat skaarsheid ‘n onvermydelike aspek van die moderne lewe sal word. Hierdie beperkinge sal nie noodwendig tot die einde van ontwerp of ‘n magtelose weergawe daarvan lei nie, maar sal eerder nuwe uitdagings vir die ontwerper bied. Die waarde lê daarin om deur ‘n studie van die volkstaalargitektuur wat op die skaarsheid van hulpbronne en die reëls vir sosiale interaksie gebasseer is, nuwe rolle en geleenthede vir formele argitektuur te skep. / Mini Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The dissertation investigates suitable living environments for the healing and rehabilitation of people in crisis in South Africa, focusing on the human experience of space. Through the understanding of the problem and the context, the product of the investigation is a shelter for the homeless in the city of Tshwane. The shelter can be defined as transitional housing for the adult urban homeless and their children, which focuses on the healing and ultimate rehabilitation of homeless people, including the reintegration of these people into society. The significance of the project is that the development becomes a metaphor for the reintegration of people into society. The project aims to empower people to become contributing members of society and discontinues the cycle of destitution by providing an opportunity for economic activity and by improving the physical environment of the homeless as well as the physical environment of the community in general. / Mini Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

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This development plan for the Virginia Square Metro is located near Washington DC in Arlington County, Virginia. The proposal includes "open plan" mid-rise residential, high-rise mixed-use, an identifiable transit station and linked green space with small scale agricultural potential. Mid-rise dwelling units provide the density to support local business along shop-lined streets. Pedestrian ways and bike trails offer additional transportation routes while mass transit cuts down on automobile usage. The scheme combines sustainable design, innovative construction techniques and transit-oriented development principles to provide the infrastructure and act as a catalyst for healthy future growth along the Rosslyn-Ballston development corridor. / Master of Architecture

Introduction (and purpose) – Open Building is a concept which gives full flexibility and creative freedom for the consumer to design their dwelling according to own preferences (Kendall & Teicher, 2000). The multi-family house and its apartments are constructed according to Swedish building code, however, construction of inner walls and finishes remains for the consumer to decide. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the concept of Open Building and its initial establishment in Sweden as an alternative approach in designing multi-family housing. It is a case study on the housing development company Raw Property and their first multi-family house Raw Rosendal in Uppsala, consisting of 50 apartments. The study examines what positive factors that advocate the implementation of the concept, which opportunities for improvement that can be detected, and how the application of the concept has been perceived in Sweden. Method – A qualitative approach has been conducted as method. The research questions have been answered through semi structured interviews with key persons who have been part of the project, as well as literature studies. The key persons consisted of CEO, CMO, Architect, Supervisor and Real Estate Agent. Results – The case study resulted in answers to the interview questions with the selected key persons. The interview questions were constructed with basis in the research questions and aim of the study. The interview answers thereby resulted in answering the research questions. Analysis – The positive factors that could be detected from the interviews are the advantages connected to the possibility for the consumer to affect the dwelling. Flexibility and ecological sustainability were further aspects which advocates for continuous use of the concept. Knowledge have been gained that will be used for improvements to future projects. Opportunities for improvements are mainly connected to the difficulties of the project being the first implementation in Sweden. Further developments of the concept were raised for discussion during the interviews, where one proposal was to design the loadbearing system in wood instead of concrete. The adaptation of the concept in Sweden have mainly been received as positive since it is a further development in housing design of multi-family housing. Discussion – From the method chosen and with the limitations decided, the study gives a clear result that answers the research questions. The result has strong connections to the scientific articles written about in the theoretical framework. / Introduktion (och syfte) – “Open Buildings” är ett koncept som ger full flexibilitet och kreativ frihet till köparen att själv utforma sin lägenhet efter egna preferenser (Kendall & Teicher, 2000). Huset och lägenheterna byggs upp enligt vad Boverkets byggregler kräver, men innerväggar och ytskikt lämnas upp till köparen att bestämma. Syftet med studien är att utreda konceptet “Open Buildings” och dess etablering i Sverige som ett alternativt tillvägagångssätt att utforma flerbostadshus. Studien är en fallstudie på fastighetsutvecklingsföretaget Raw Propertys första flerbostadshus Raw Rosendal i Uppsala, bestående av 50 lägenheter. Det studien undersöker är vilka positiva faktorer som förespråkar tillämpningen av konceptet, vilka förbättringsmöjligheter som finns, samt hur tillämpningen av konceptet har upplevts i Sverige. Metod – Som metod har ett kvalitativt angreppssätt använts. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med nyckelpersoner som deltagit i projektet samt litteraturstudier besvarades frågeställningarna. Nyckelpersonerna bestod av företagets VD, företagets försäljnings- och marknadschef, arkitekt, arbetsledare och mäklare. Resultat – Fallstudien resulterade i svar på frågor genom intervjuer med de utvalda nyckelpersonerna. Frågorna under intervjuerna utformades med koppling till studiens syfte och frågeställningar. Intervjusvaren blev därmed ett resultat som svarar på studiens frågeställningar. Analys – De positiva faktorer som utifrån intervjuerna går att urskilja är konceptets fördelar med att kunden själv får möjligheten att påverka bostaden. Aspekter som flexibilitet och ekologisk hållbarhet förespråkar även konceptet. Det framkom flera lärdomar som till nästa projekt går att förbättra. De förbättringsmöjligheter som lyfts under intervjuerna har främst koppling till svårigheter som stötts på i och med att detta är det första projektet i Sverige där konceptet tillämpats. Vidareutveckling av konceptets användning lyftes under intervjuerna och ett förslag att i framtiden utforma byggnaden i trä istället för betong nämndes. Konceptets tillämpning i Sverige har till största del upplevts positiv, mycket eftersom det är en fortsatt utveckling i utformning av flerbostadshus. Diskussion – Den valda metoden med dess avgränsningar ger ett tydligt resultat som följer studiens syfte samt besvarar samtliga frågeställningar. Resultatet har starka kopplingar till de källor som lyfts under det teoretiska ramverket.

Architecture without Land postulates the role of architecture without the promise of the ownership of land. It investigates the provision of land, secured with land tenure, as a development strategy in critical neighbourhoods, specifi cally Westbury, Johannesburg. It is situated within the urban land question and opportunity of land, characterised by continual redevelopment within strict urban boundaries and multiplicity of use, and addresses the fragments of apartheid city planning, particularly the question of ownership of land. Title deeds are not always practical or appropriate solutions. Fixed ownership could stagnate the process of continual redevelopment of land and hence of the social development in a low income neighbourhood. The opportunity of land tenure, as opposed to ownership, aids fl exibility and appropriation by tenants including the continual redevelopment of a site. Tenure of land, allows the tenant organisation to expand, insert or subtract their built manifestation in relationship to their economic conditions, reducing ineffi cient land use. This approach responds to change in mainly two ways; internal changeability (Architecture host to change) and external changeability (Land host to change). Land host to change; orders the permanent (stable) built fabric, predetermining structure, service and external space. Tenant dependency on stable built fabric (architecture as method) is articulated in a scale understanding of facility and connection (service point). This interaction is expressed in use of space, fi t-out, infi ll and/or insert with the condition of easy removal at end of use. Access to land and space are vital to the project as poverty is deeply spatial and ownership of land intertwined with the legacy of apartheid. This dissertation will focus on the appropriation of land, tested with social infrastructure such as early childhood development, mothers training, shisa nyama, a medical unit supported by affordable rental housing, hosted in a 66m by 36m land parcel, supporting compact city development and densifi cation in the suburb of Westbury Johannesburg. / Mini Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Architecture / MArch (Prof) / Unrestricted

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The regulations that form the basis of the construction sector not only hamper productivity, but also quality, innovation and customer focus. They counteract change by being too regulated and the result is similar in that everyone must relate to the same industry standard and the same framework in the form of rules.  Apartments have had a steady rise in prices over recent decades, statistics suggest that the price of apartments in recent years was higher than ever before. The majority of Sweden's residents living in apartment buildings today live in rental apartments, which is because of the simple reason that purchasing an apartment is expensive and a large sum of money is required to be able to afford a down payment. Many of the homes that are built today are produced on market terms with limited options. This results in newly produced homes being targeted at those with a good income and low-income earners being given lower priority. Apartments with a lower standard are produced in Russia, among other places, where the customer completes the apartment according to taste.  This degree project has been carried out in collaboration with Bonava AB with the aim of investigating how much can be waived from completing in a newly produced flat before the approved final decision. Furthermore, it has been investigated how the time required and the final cost of the project are affected, as well as the customer's benefits through the introduction of the Naked Flat concept. Eleven respondents were interviewed in the study and calculations were performed on a cost estimate and schedule.  With the introduction of Naked Flat, the construction cost was reduced by 7,76 percent and the project time was reduced by 38 days. The lower price is justified by the fact that the apartment is delivered in a simpler design where the customers can complete it themselves according to their own wishes and needs. Naked Flat gives the customer more options about design and the chance to put their own personal touch through color and material choices. Furthermore, the reduced project time means that the customer gets access to the apartment earlier. The completion of the apartments can be regulated in such a way that it relates to sustainable housing through agreements and partners as well as the potentially reduced use of materials.

The city with its urban density, infrastructure, and cultural, social and educational opportunities can be a desirable place to live for all - regardless of age, income or background. The city of today has changed considerably from the city of the 19th century. Neither is it the city of the future. However, it has great potential to anticipate to the challenges we will face in the future. It is a place that constantly changes. It is a living organism! This constant change is a challenge for architects to develop concepts and design-solutions that can react to shifting uses, zoning requirements, and dweller habits. The constant alteration of lifestyle, residential and commercial use, as well as job-related needs demands a high flexibity and adaptability in architecture and urban planning. Today's life is fast and unpredictable. Other contemporary issues such as sustainabilty or climate change are becoming key issues of today's discussion - in society, in the media and in world policy. Architects - responsible for our built environment - have to find innovative solutions to such ever-changing problems within their profession - within architecture. How can a concept, project or building be designed or constructed to anticipate those future needs, and what are the limits? To explore these questions and many more that followed I chose a site in midtown Washington DC. My thesis project includes 23 townhouses with partial retail, incorporated along an alley in the interior of a city block. The new development is integrated into the existing structure. / Master of Architecture

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