Site Specific Regionalism

Abstract

As architecture continues towards a globalized practice, the increasingly standardized approach to building has resulted in an inflation of architecture with minimal sense of place. These designs often impose upon their context through means of material application, formal intervention, or physical connection, among other considerations. This thesis develops a methodology for approaching the design of architecture that is regionally appropriate and authentic to place. To accomplish this the method focuses on designing in response to context, where context is argued as being composed of four principles: climate, landscape, technology and culture. The synthesis of regional and site specific context analysis supports architecture that compliments its surroundings, yet is unique in its own identity; architecture that is both regionally appropriate and authentic to place. Though this method for regional design aims to be applicable to any facet of context, it is investigated through the context of Deep Bay, British Columbia.