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SPECIFICALLY ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
An essay compiled in the analysis of
A partial account of the ascent from building as cultural
Transmission to architecture as theoretical concretion
By Bill Hillier
Found in Msc Architecture: COMPUTING & DESIGN,
Seminar series 2004-5, Semester A texts, Topic 14
ANALYSIS BY:
JUNJIE ZHAO (STUDENT)
0410726 (STUDENT NUMBER)
ZJJ9961@HOTMAIL.COM
MSC ARCHITECTURE: COMPUTING & DESIGN
UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON
4-6 UNIVERSITY WAY
LONDON E16 2RB
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Introduction
This essay is to analyze the selected text 14“Specifically Architectural theory: A
Partial Account of the Ascent from Building as Cultural Transmission to Architecture
as Theoretical Concretion” by Bill Hiller 1 who is the professor of Architectural and
Urban Morphology in the University of London. In the topic 14, Bill Hiller introduces
an argument- his case for specifically theory using the problem of space as specific
constant by exploring different realms to further explain and explore the sense of
space syntax as a partial theory of architecture. Another argument is: how to liberate
the relationship between such theories and much more tools of analysis. The author
reinforces design with space syntax ideals such as The King’s Cross Master Plan for
example is used to further describe how to use space syntax in our practice design.
This example express obviously theoretical knowledge, coupled to technique in
practice design. The author stresses that the theoretical knowledge connects with
technique are very important. The research of space syntax is to simplification of the
living complexity of urban patterns. It in tends to cover the aspects and the arguments
set out in text and to broaden the subject of will provide more background information
if referenced to by the initial text 14.
At the end of topic 14, it is said that architecture is thus both art and science, but in
that it requires both the processes of abstraction by we know science and art. So Bill
Hillier points out existing architecture theories have a general wrong tendency that is
to pay more attention to regulations but neglect the analysis. Obviously, in seeks
before the instruction design, we should first understand what is the construction.
Therefore he points out in this aspect; the architectural theories must seek to create
one kind of technology, so that it can help system to describe the spatial
configurations which the system appears with difficulty. This kind of description to
configuration is the premise and the foundation of architectural theories, also is
important contribution of the space syntax.
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Space syntax is a partial theory of architecture, also is a way of space analysis to
connect visible analysis with topology. Architectural theory development is entwined
with issues evolved with and throughout history. In this essay I will first try to show
what really significant configuration is. Then I will turn to analyze space
configuration and suggest that space syntax has its own expression language is that of
the forms themselves. Then in terms of practice cases, I will turn to analyze spatial
complexity, before this I will analyze urban grid complexity, then to analyze spatial
complexity. Finally I will draw some inferences on why we can use this method to
analyze spatial complexity. Therefore, the research of space syntax is to simplification
of the questions.
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