CONTENTS
Preface x
Introduction: Exploring the subject of theory in
Architecture 1
Why theory in architecture needs exploration 1
How theory in architecture has escaped investigation 5
The approach for this work 7
An overview of the discussions in the book 16
Notes 19
1 Defining theory 21
Introduction 21
The history of the term 22
Theorizing and theorems 26
The elements if theorizing 28
An observation of a pattern or interruption in a pattern 30
A theorist 34
The activity of theorizing 35
A resulting theorem 35
Characteristics of theorizing 36
Theorizing operates within a paradigm 36
Theorizing is general 37
Theorizing is abstract 39
Theorizing is independent of specific linguistics 41
Theorizing is a claim to truth or accuracy with the
world 42
Theorizing results in theorems that are able to be tested or
assessed 43
Theorizing does not deviate substantially from existing
theorizing and theorems within the same paradigm 44
Theorizing is not recurrent 44
Theorizing never ceases 44
Notes 47
2 The paradigms that ground theorizing
Introduction 50
Ontology, epistemology and methodology 54
Ontology 55
Epistemology 55
Methodology 56
Four worldviews 57
Positivism 57
Post-positivism 58
Critical theory 59
Constructivism 60
The cacophony of worldviews 62
Worldviews in the discipline 64
The importance of coherency 74
Recognizing a network of theory in architecture 80
Notes 81
3 The place of theory in the discipline
Introduction 84
Theory and history 89
The relationship of theory and history 89
Defining history 89
Connections between theory and history 93
Theorems of history 98
Theory and design 99
The relationship of theory and design 99
Defining design 100
Descriptions of the design process 101
The stages of analysis-synthesis 102
Decision trees 103
Reflection-in-action 105
Conjecture-analysis 106
A note about heuristics 107
Consistencies in the design process 108
Distinguishing the design process from theorizing 109
The interactions of the design process and theorizing 110
Theory and criticism 115
The relationship of theory and criticism 115
Defining criticism 115
The interactions of criticism and theorizing 117
The nature of criticism 119
Theory and manifestoes 122
The relationship between theory and manifestoes 122
Defining a manifesto 123
The connections of manifestoes and theorizing 125
Theory and other writings 126
The relationship of theory to other writings 126
The connections of relationships 128
Notes 129
4 Engaging in theorizing and the construction of theorems 132
Introduction 132
A checklist for theorizing 132
Take time to reflect on your observations of the world 132
Become familiar with writings that address the same or
similar observations 133
Articulate how the theorizing differs from ones that are
similar 134
Review the theorizing for its ability to be general in nature
rather than specific 134
Review the theorizing for its ability to be abstract in nature
rather than connected to particular phenomena 135
Review the work for its ability to be communicated in
different ways 135
Review the work for accuracy with the world 135
Test the work 135
Remember that theorizing never ends 136
Be aware of and respect the entire iterative process that
involves theorizing 136
Bibliography 138
Index 142