Anticipating Change: How can theories and strategies on temporary and permanent architecture guide the design for dual-use, encountering the everyday life and future natural disasters

Abstract

Increased natural disasters, as an effect of climate change, are affecting a growing share of the global population causing economic loses, casualties, displacement and tends to worsen pre-existing inequalities (McCann et al., 2018). This is where the architectural practice can be implemented to support society through promoting a shared responsibility to mitigate the losses (Fitz et al., 2019). The thesis departs from the will of developing architecture with a civic purpose. This aim is the driving force for creating a public space with the main purpose of dealing with the current and future speculated climate related disasters. Through an iterative design process, it uses a combination of theoretical and practical tools. The overall scope, a collection of reports, theories and case study to Japan, informs the speculative concept of a shelter made to satisfy multiple scenarios. Further theories inform the design and are translated to physical measurements by rapid prototyping, both digital and physical, to develop a structure that can meet the design principles. The shelter design proposes the usage of different Muira-ori fold pattern to create both semi-permanent buildings and deployable structures to add value in several scenarios, in everyday life and disaster. The result is presented through physical models, isometric diagrams and drawings to create a comprehensive narrative that embeds the visions. The thesis discusses how the cultural, functional and technical aspects are separated and intertwined and how it is expressed in the design proposal. Through speculative scenarios, the ability to stay relevant over time and simultaneously react and adapt is further validated. After reviewing the critical points of the deployable structures, the thesis still determines Miura-ori fold to be beneficial from an architectural and structural standpoint. To conclude, the thesis uses the design proposal as a springboard for speculative thinking and experimental design, encouraging architects to anticipate change in an uncertain future.