Chrysi Nikoloutsou, Malvina Apostolou, and Gianna Siapati
Constantinos Doxiadis developed Ekistics as an interdisciplinary approach to interpretating and planning human habitats. His theory could be directly linked with systems thinking methodology, since cities and human settlements are regarded as complex systems of interconnected networks. Characterized by feedback loops, non-linear relationships and dynamic intercorrelations within various sub-systems, these interactive networks could be analysed through the lens of a systemic approach.
The analysis of human settlements inherently intersects with the issue of housing, and consequently housing typology. At the same time, the study and experimentation with concepts and typologies related to inhabitation is a key element in architectural education and informs an aspiring designer’s architectural identity.
This article proposes an exploration of Doxiadis’ theoretical principles, as derived from Ekistics, in correlation with a system of nodes, based on the current discourse in architectural education. The nodes’ system is created through a thorough study of current architectural composition briefs on a global scale, mainly based on renowned schools of Britain and US, and is organised as word clouds, stating the main terms used in contemporary dialogue on housing design. The study seeks to investigate how the integration of such a systemic approach into the educational process could influence students’ compositional interpretations of housing typologies.
To address this inquiry, the two systems proposed will be empirically mapped and then overlapped, observing the intersections emerged. Through the resulting relational structures and correlations, the study seeks to investigate how they could serve as a methodological tool in housing design studio. Additionally, ideas of cognitive approach and experiential learning in architectural education will be addressed: in what way could the design process be informed from both systemic thinking and cognitive operations?
The application of systems thinking throughout the compositional courses in architectural education, both in the conceptual and design development phase, could encourage a holistic approach towards the complexities of the context within which architecture operates.
KEYWORDS: systemic approach, architectural education, methodological tool, experiential learning, housing design