An Architecture of Contingency & Constraint

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.