Building Systems

"But what if the function is no longer chung-chung-chung standardization producing the same-same-same? If the function is the production of information - and the definition of information is ‘a difference that makes a difference’ - you’re not doing the same-same-same anymore. Now you’re turning out a different different difference, because if it’s not different it’s not information."

Peter Schwartz in Stewart Brand, The Media Lab.

All buildings are systems.
In the Industrial Age this meant Standardization.
In the Information Age this means Customization.
A system is a framework for conceptioning what is going on.
How does it work?
How can we do it again?
The humble brick is an elementary system.
Linear, sequential and limited to vertical planes of compression.

It's days are numbered in the Information Age.
Repetitive industrialized building systems of the 50's and 60's leave a bitter taste.
A place to start.
An architect must walk before running.
Step forward with these…
Forget the permanent, the finished result and the individual pieces.
Take away a take-away instead.
Flexible, adaptable, disposable, re-usable, recyclable, demountable, temporary, portable.
I want an overall package.
I want it how?
I want it now!
Necessary steps toward richly customized ‘one-offs’.
Fit the form and conception the construction.


The Future of Architecture Table of Contents
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