Abstract:
Self-build; is both an architectural form of contingency and constraint.
‘Constrained’ by existing bureaucratic thinking, specialized
building practices, and architectural ethics; ‘Contingent’
to its maker, surrounding context, and time; where a building’s
meaning and value is individually experienced, not estimated,
belonging found, not untold.
This thesis aims to be a tangible investigation of this architectural
contradiction, where both time and feeling are considered within
the building process. An intimate design method that pursues
building longevity through an open-ended negotiation between
the contingent flux of everyday life, changing building contexts,
user’s needs, feelings and desires.
It is within such contradiction that this thesis takes place, a position
against standardised building practices and conventional
staged thinking.