Are architects Social Scientists, too?

Archt. Hiranthi Pathirana Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa

It is believed that, architects do not need to be, white coated psychologist to determine socially responsive architecture.

The due consideration given to user needs and understanding the importance of space, design, aesthetics and comfort can lead to a socially responsive architecture.

It is important to highlight some important, aspects which are intangible in space, that can be captured in architecture to use it for the well-being of the people. In architecture, we come across built spaces and modified environments that have impact on the lives of the people.

Activity spaces

There are spaces designed for various activities of people, some are designed, for a moment, such as the monuments, etc, where spaces are used for young and old, rich and poor, abled and disabled etc. Some spaces accommodate large number of people, and direct them towards an activity such as religious spaces.

The space is generally experienced as a whole. The notion of space include the site, the existing buildings, surrounding buildings, the air, sky scape, other views, the ground etc.

Putting all these factors in best possible ways, to the experience of a space is considered architecture. Even though there are many generations exist, that determines the quality of space, it is the visual experience that is considered, most important.

This may get effected by many things even though they may seem less important, for example, putting adult chairs and tables in a children’s space, may lose their sense of belonging to the space. Generally children feel free to roll on the ground or sit on the floor. So that the height and scale in which they experience the space is different to other age groups.

Oncrete tililed park

Also the outside children’s park paved with concrete tiles, surrounded by a chain link, overlooked by a blank impersonal set of windows in the adjoining building, wouldn’t do much to fulfil the children’s enjoyment of space.

It is interesting to identify that, what makes it most important is the kaleidoscope of human activity that enhance the character of the space. Human activity charges the space and set it in motion to give spirit of the place. Therefore tackling the user generators in a built space, too is considered as a process of socially responsive architecture, which makes architecture, a social science.

Therefore, a mere building with walls and a set of windows, may not address these important issues that may fail in responding to people. Todd (1985) says that many buildings that are intended for peoples use may fail due to built in design conflicts.

Therefore it is believed that people dominated spaces take the character by its participants and design of the building seem to contain certain important characters.

These characters are identified as activity encourage spaces, gradual and subtle progression in space, the effects of materials and finishes that would support the activities and enhance the atmospheric effect, the comfort gained with light and ventilation, the scale differences in building, interior and exterior relationships, proper and smooth functions of the building etc.

Therefore, it is believed that either to accommodate a passive or a vibrant activity, architecture changes in these basic norms. Some of the best plazas in the world, function excellently because of the right spatial scale taken on the basis of the distance-height ratios.

Similarly there exist certain features such as gradual rising of steps emphasized on a great horizontal plane that encourage people’s participation, such features are suggested for their appropriate uses.

As a person to judge the needs of the user, becomes an essential part of designing the space, at which point the architect, the social scientist steps in and decision are taken on these judgments. It is in other words transforming an intangible quality of the space (which was given above) for users’ needs. Architect, as a social scientist works towards the well-being of the user from individuals, families, groups communities and masses.

He tries to understand the activity patterns, moods, relationships, perception of the space, and cater to obvious and intended user needs, towards the well-being of the user. For example, designing a house for a family, becomes a challenge each time, he puts on the shoes of a social scientist.

Each family have their own needs that has to be addressed in unison, as well as creating user satisfaction for the individual user, as a member in the family. In large spaces, people are taken in masses to cater for their needs, direct them through spaces, addressing to their needs and sets goals for the ultimate objectives of designing the space.

Therefore the solutions that is brought in, as a specially trained social scientist, looking for the subtle changes in behaviour, in different groups of people becomes a key issue in the design of a building.

Work on methodologies

If architects gives, more focus to work on methodologies and guidelines to arrive at user satisfaction, the built environment would again be a better place that is enjoyed, by people of all ages, cultures, different social categories, and backgrounds etc.

Therefore the mere fact of good proportion may not be the only answer that can stand alone.

It is believed that the overriding reason for designing space, either interior or exterior, is to give people comfort, security and fulfillment both physically and psychologically to fulfill the needs and make them happy and one with the environment.

Architecture in Transition:

A Nation at Crossroads

Through the years I have seen the city of Colombo go through many changes. In the name of progress or demography, roads have been built, buildings constructed and even capitals changed.

Consciously or unconsciously we have been creating a Sri Lankan identity in whatever form or shape it has taken. Nowhere has it been more evident than in the sphere of urban and suburban architecture.

I remember being taken to a house down Old Moor Street as a child. It was naturally a Muslim house and it had a lattice framework that fronted the street.

The closed front verandah where the female inmates of the house could see out but not be seen, led onto a long dark corridor that suddenly opened out into a courtyard drenched with sunlight.

Who would have thought such displays of light and space could be hidden behind latticed entry? The typical colonial house that often occupied the spaces of Colombo 3 and 7 had high ceilings and verandahs that ran around the house.

They had defined front gardens and back gardens with servants quarters most often connected to the main house by a covered corridor. They had clearly defined public and private spaces. Clean kitchens and “dirty” kitchens. Adult spaces and children spaces.

Today there are many who mourn the loss of that colonial architecture. The houses of old are being torn down, their gardens divided into modest sized plots of land which are then sub-divided over and over again and the teeming population of Sri Lanka is being asked to live in smaller and smaller spaces closer and closer together, further and further away.

But we should not dismay for in that process we are creating an identity. I have seem marvellous examples of Sri Lanka architecture that have broken away completely from the colonial mould and succeed in celebrating the tropical climate that we live in. Inner courtyards, the use of glass and steel, roof terraces, indoor/outdoor bathrooms and natural materials have been used in varied ways maximise space, light, and climate.

However, I will reluctantly admit that we also have our fair share of outrageous houses that pride themselves on screaming out their lack of taste, oodles of money and mishmash of identities, but that is to be expected. What we should concentrate on is nurturing and encouraging this trend of creating a uniquely Sri Lankan identity through architecture.

In my musings on Sri Lankan native architecture, I have wondered about pre-colonial architecture. What kind of houses did we live in? What materials were used? How is it that the wattle and daub houses and the cadjan hut houses did not evolve to suit modern times or did they? I would like to think that we could learn from the village. That in the process of going back to basics we can go forward. That we can integrate renewable energy sources to meet our high-tech demands.

That amidst the dire predictions of water shortages and power cuts we will be able to delve into history and come out working with nature instead of against it.

This commentary will not be complete if I did not mention Geoffrey Bawa, that doyen of Sri Lankan architecture. Geoffrey Bawa put us on the map; it is now up to us to take that heritage forward, not merely to imitate but to shape and originate an architecture that is intrinsically Sri Lankan and yet not confining.

We should be able to celebrate our diverse cultures, religions and ethnicities and yet see ourselves as a cohesive whole. I am talking about the architecture of identity.

Courtesy Taylor - A Mimar Book

Awareness on Public space design

Public space is considered as the space for impersonal encounters and the coexistence of many other activities that happen in them, such as commerce, leisure, sports, politics and religious activities.

It is considered that the public spaces in the city should serve all levels of the society to fulfill the deep rooted need for these kinds of spaces. Particularly the intense interventions occur in the built substances in the city may fail to relate to people.

It has been noted that the spaces designed with response to the public is a must that leads to the healthy environment in the city. It is observed that most of the spaces designed in the city neglect the social concerns in the building design so that it becomes a non communicative element in the built fabric that is subjected to public ignorance in physical, spatial and visual attributes.

It is understood that in building design the degree in which these architectural attributes are composed matter to a greater extent in the concerns of responses to the public. Visual attributes are concerned with the type of materials used and the technology of building design relates to the feelings of the general public. Also the visual geometry that is created in the public eye with line, point, solid and space too modifies the responses to the public.

Visual qualities of the spaces.

The tangible elements such as volume, scale, proportion are considered as the essential elements that create the visual qualities of the spaces. It has been found out that the primary needs that people seek to satisfy in public spaces are those for comfort, relaxation, active and passive engagement and the discovery.

Sense of belongingness that is created with in the public space is the most important of all that enlivens with the human participation. It is only through the study of architecture that provides for these needs of the public of this nature. The science of form making is identified as the building morphology that involves with the systematic study of how the social consciousness appear in the built forms.

In other words it is understood that the ‘publicness’ is the binding factor that hold and unifies the built fabric of the city. Thus it extends from streets, shop fronts, parks, squares, commuter terminals, recreation spaces etc. it appears that the definition of public spaces deal more with the accessibility perhaps m0ore than the other factors concerned. It is observed that particularly in the city of Colombo the degree of public responsiveness in the City development today has become fast disapperaring except for the few spaces created fifty years ago.

Need for public space

It should be emphasized that the need for public space that facilitate the right atmosphere for all levels of the society is greater in the modern society than ever before. Most significantly the need for market squares has become a must in the city of Colombo and the suburban areas.

For example the articulation of nature, human activities and the life in the city in architecture is a challenging task in the design of buildings that had been faced by the architects.

Perhaps what we see today is a mere turn over of a ware house in to a convention center or a mega scale shopping mall that is completely shut off from natural environment in to a mechanically ventilated large spaces.

In the instances like these though it may be economically viable to accept conversion of spaces like these it creates an unhealthy situation for the public. What we come across in the very day basis is the mere enclosures and masses that doe not communicate to the environment or the people.

The lack of responsiveness to the environment in these public buildings can result with the participation of the public with passive reactors for other people and the environment they live in. by crafting good buildings for all levels of the society, the beliefs of the society can be strengthened towards healthiness, unity and humanity.

Building Edge: A communication link in the urban space

The inseparable link that bonds the spaces and the activities of people is considered as the building edge which could be left as built or un built spaces. The built edge can largely contribute to the functions and activities that happen in the urban space. It is believed that the liveliness of the activities in the city to a larger degree is reflected in the role of the building edge.

At the same time it signifies socio cultural values and relationships of the peoples activities in the local situations. It has been found out that life of a certain activity in the urban settings naturally surrounds the edge, that the failure of the definition of the edge leads to lack of coherence in the built fabric.

Therefore building edge is identified as a central defining element that unifies the spaces and activities in the urban setting. It signifies as a transitional space that demands a character with proper treatment as a place, a zone with volume in it. It is not to be considered as a line or an interface with negative responses.

It should be considered as an environment that adds value to urban landscape and human life in it. Most importantly its adaptable quality for peoples uses certain robustness is needed to be associated with the edge of the building. on the other hand we have become a home oriented society because the built fabric that we pass through every day is not responsive enough to suit our feelings and liking. To a great deal, the treatment of the building edges are chosen without knowledge and proper advocation with academic background.

Building edge should serve the local aspirations of the people that it should not be used as an application for the Universal advertising trends and solutions neither does the building edge denotes a striking colour application of purple and blue. The building edge how ever should emphasise space, time activity, communication and human feelings in them.

As a result of the non communicative methods used in the building edges the visual permeability is restricted mainly for the sake of privacy and safety. The situation seem to have arisen due to lack of responsibility of the non qualified people who practice building design in the urban settings.

The rich perceptual mix that is resulted with various different activities that support one another in the urban fabric can be identified and enhanced with the correct treatment of the built edges increasing the responsiveness. It is understood that building edge also defines the clear visual form of the place with the patterns adapted to complement one another.

LACK OF LEGIBILITY

This therefore can be identified as the lack of legibility which has effected with many situations in the local urban situations. In many situations there seems to be a trend created to treat the building as a single entity with out considering the precedence, type and place what so ever.

It is also important to note that with the increasing Land value in the city, creative and responsive built edges should be created with robustness to accommodate the fullest capacity of activities with out leaving neglected and dead spaces around the buildings.

As a whole the valuable and creative thoughts given to the building edges would be able to create visual appropriateness and responsiveness in the urban fabric. How ever it is important to note that the building edge should never be a haphazard solution that becomes a ‘misfit’ with temporary articles hanging at each corner creating obvious visual pollution. Treating the building edge is a sensitive task that involves careful though and creative applications.

Comfort and spatial quality in urban houses in Colombo

Thermal comfort of a building is greatly dependant on the provision of ventilation to the inside spaces. Therefore the ways of ventilating a building is decisive especially when mechanical methods are not in use. When natural ventilation is in effect to a greater extent they govern the spaces, volumes and heights of the building. Particularly in the urban homes it is rational to say that the qualities of spaces hold a key role in achieving thermal comfort.

Orientation of the building, for, roof and walls, materials used, shading and landscape can be considered as fundamental devices which will have effect on the thermal conditions of the spaces. A few house interiors featured in this article give examples for the architects solutions in achieving the above mentioned qualities in the house designs of Colombo.

It is noted that where ever possible open spaces are provided for the fresh air intake to keep the immediate air condition within the comfortable range. Double or triple height spaces on the other hand promote free circulation of hot and cool air streams inciting natural mechanism of ventilation.

It is noted that the orientation of openings had further encouraged the airflow inside , while the shading devices are used to reduce the radiation to a certain extent. Some of these house designs closely link up with the natural environment in which they set in, particularly the architects have used the existing trees as wind barriers, deflectors or reflectors other than the freshners of air.

It is understood that flexibility given in this process has led to the positive results that is suited for the site conditions, topography and the localized site conditions. Shaping and forming of these fundamentals eventually result spaces with variety and sparkle in terms of volume, height and exposure, inc reating diversity of spaces with unique character and quality.

1.0 Ms De Saram House at Battaramulla

Themed under ‘house is a garden’, an attempt has been made to integrate house with the garden as one unitary element. Bigger volumes of the house design has been achieved through the large scale and proportions taken in the house forms. The solid wall made of brick combined with vertical grill work adds to the height of the volume.

Particularly in comparatively smaller areas this has been compensated with the vegetation naturally grown with the house interior. Interestingly the air gaps that is left at the top and bottom of doors and windows adds a floating, light weight effect to the interior of the house.

The unique roofing details at the wall plates enhances this quality further, improving the ventilation from ‘outdoor’ to ‘indoor’ conditions. Particularly the mezzanine timber floor that rests on ‘C’ channels together with the space in between create gaps that become air passages for better circulation of natural air.

The interpretation of the garden house concept has been greatly achieved amazingly with the use of steel grills which also allows visual access to the garden from each and every important spaces in the house.

(To be continued )

Lecture course to qualify as an architectural licentiate

To fulfill the legal requirement according to the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (Amendment) Act No: 14 of 1996 the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects holds for the third time an Introductory Course in Architecture leading to qualify as Architectural Licentiate.

This Course conducted by the Board of Architectural Education (BAE) of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) commenced on 30th August, 2008.

The Course which is of six months duration targets those who have 10 to 15 years experience in the field of Architectural Drafting and at least qualification in Architectural Draftsmanship with Design talent. It is co-ordinated by Past President Archt. V.N.C. Gunasekera, FIA (SL). Further details can be obtained from the website - www.slia.lk.

Free advice on housing

Archwatch the housing and building advisory page conducted by the Daily News in association with the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects offers free advice through this page to readers on any of the housing construction problems they may be facing, from the SLIA. Please send your problems in writing to this page

Architect: Hiranthi Pathirana
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