Temple University Tyler School of Art and Architecture
ARCH 4296: DESIGN, BEHAVIOR AND CULTURE Fall 2021
Professor Sasha Maxwell
ILLUSTRATED ANALYSIS 1
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework
What are the main concepts presented in the text? Adopt any important vocabularies (labels, themes and phrases) that are central to the author’s theory, but define them in your own words wherever possible.
What is the value of adopting this theoretical framework? Why does the author argue for this approach? What is the importance of understanding your particular site through this theoretical lens?
Applying the Framework to the Site
Briefly describe your site in both its current and historical form. Include a concise description of site boundaries and other relevant characteristics such as materiality, scale, historical or future context, or program; supplement this with appropriate visual documentation such as snapshots, plans, aerial photos, each annotated as appropriate.
Do you see Stewart Brand’s ‘layered components’ in play at your site?
Have you discovered evidence that his way of thinking about ageing and evolution was present during the design and building process? Conversely, do you see evidence that this way of thinking was neglected?
Do you see evidence of Brand’s model in the way current occupants are using or experiencing this site?
Support your argument by composing an informational diagram that describes the evolution of the site through the ageing of component layers.
Conclusions
Do your observations support Brand’s theory? Perhaps your observations would lead you to suggest variations to his theory.
You’ve chosen a particular visual method to diagram your findings. Why did you choose this particular method to make your argument?
Document Collection and Analysis
Log your group’s resources in an annotated list, to be submitted with the presentation.
Carefully select and organize a series of images for your presentation, and annotate those images so that they support your argument.
Examples include:
Historical photos
Your own snapshots
Media coverage (eg. newspaper clippings)
Literature authored by occupants (eg. pamphlets or websites that explain programming to the public)
Historical and contemporary maps (include vector maps whenever possible)
Aerial photos
Images of other sites that relate directly to your argument(s)