Evolution of Nontraditional Methods of Construction: 21st Century Pragmatic Viewpoint
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 2
Abstract
Technology has played a major role in the process of forming the architectural theory and practice during the twentieth century. The discourse on technology is well received both in hermeneutics and in architectural theory. What has been paid very little attention is how the notion has evolved and developed pragmatically. This paper will focus on the paradigm shift from the established ways of building on-site to the new methods of production of space off-site. The focus, however, is not the shift itself but rather how the destination paradigm has been comprehended and translated into practical solutions and how those solutions have established a dialogue with architecture both as a profession and as the final product. The milestone in this study is the Industrial Revolution, known as the architect of change in this transition. This paper does not provide a chronology of construction technology. By contrast, it focuses on the evolution both of the concepts from a semantic viewpoint and of the application from a pragmatic viewpoint in an international context.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank anonymous reviewers whose comments help improve the content and quality of this paper even more. This publication was not possible without endless support of Ms. Jennifer Kuhn, the production editor at ASCE, and invaluable help of Miss Emma Illingworth at Aldrich Library, University of Brighton, with the copyrights.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 2 • June 2013
Pages: 119 - 133
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 12, 2010
Accepted: Oct 26, 2011
Published online: May 15, 2013
Published in print: Jun 1, 2013
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