A Process-Based Landscape Approach to Landform Architecture

Abstract

Landform architecture treats buildings as topographically continuous with their sites. Despite the growing interest in landform architecture among practitioners and scholars in the last few decades, a large gap between the broad concept and its application in design still exists. The current theory focuses on building aesthetics and uses natural landforms as a source of architectural metaphor. Design solutions are influenced by intuitive attempts to reconnect landscape and architecture and are focused on a form-based approach that ignores or fails to address landscape processes. This research proposes to expand the existing theory and practice by acknowledging landscape as a dynamic system to design buildings that not only look like landscapes, but function as landscapes. The purpose of this research is to develop a strategy that identifies site-specific landscape processes to design landform buildings. By engaging the potential agency of landforms to impact natural systems, landform architecture can play a significant role in addressing climate-related issues and urban growth challenges.To address gaps in research and practice, as well as expand existing theory, the dissertation will critique existing landform architecture theory, offer a landscape approach to landform architecture, and propose a process for designing resilient buildings. The project is divided into three stages: (1) review of the existing state of theory and practice through literature review and case study analysis; (2) development of a theoretical approach to design landform architecture through comparative analysis, classification, 3D modeling, and simulations; and (3) tests of the theoretical approach through design experimentation.