Unified Architectural Theory: Chapter 1

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We will be publishing Nikos Salingaros’ book, Unified Architectural Theory, in a series of installments, making it digitally, freely available for students and architects around the world. The following chapter, "The Structure of Architectural Theories," posits that architecture, if it is truly to work with natural ecosystems, must adopt a scientifically-informed, systemic approach. If you missed the introduction, you may find it here.

Architecture is a human act that invades and displaces the natural ecosystem. Biological order is destroyed every time we clear native plant growth and erect buildings and infrastructure. The goal of architecture is to create structures to house humans and their activities. Humans are parts of the earth’s ecosystem, even though we tend to forget that.

Logically, architecture has to have a theoretical basis that begins with the natural ecosystem. The act of building orders materials in very specific ways, and humans generate an artificial ordering out of materials they have extracted from nature and transformed to various degrees. Some of today’s most widely-used materials, such as plate glass and steel, require energy-intensive processes, and thus contain high embodied energy costs. Those cannot be the basis for any sustainable solution, despite all the industry hype. 

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Cite: Nikos Salingaros. "Unified Architectural Theory: Chapter 1" 17 Sep 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/429404/unified-architectural-theory-chapter-1> ISSN 0719-8884

The Farnsworth House, by Mies van der Rohe, has influenced generations of architects -- but is it really the best paragon for architecture?. Image © Greg Robbins

统一的建筑理论:第1章

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