A critical framework for methodological research in architecture

Abstract

This paper reviews a cross-section of methodological studies undertaken in architecture since the Second World War. Despite a variety of orientations, technically, conceptually and philosophically, most studies reflect an understanding of people and objects as discrete entities interacting in a passive and unilateral manner. This dominant dualist understanding is concluded to be the essential cause of the ‘implementation gap’ between architectural research and practice. For the gap to close, the development and institution of a critical framework is needed which encourages researchers to acknowledge explicitly the ontological and epistemological issues associated with architectural practice, education and research. Underlying this recommendation is a dialectic appreciation of person-world interaction; one which accepts as a holistic theme for inquiry, the experiential and interpretative quality of human thinking, feeling and action.