The application of typology theory in building design

This study claims that historical and cultural issues regarding Type theory are exhausted by Eurocentric discussions that do not reflect social and cultural reality. Therefore, this study argues that historical and cultural notions or images of Type concepts no longer play a major role in the actual design process.; Thus far, building typology has been primarily researched based on a purely theoretical approach that does not demonstrate the architect's behavior, while the other adopts an experimental approach that has no interest in the actual problem solving design tasks. Nevertheless, no previous work has specifically studied the relationship between the concept of typology and its problem-solving role in the actual design process. Its use, influence, and application in design in the architectural office have yet to be seriously investigated.; Therefore, this research designed a questionnaire to explore contemporary practicing architects' and designers' understanding on building typology and its actual influence on the design process. The sample population for this research was 300 architects and designers who are currently employed in the 50 largest architectural firms in the United States.; The objectives of this study are to: (1) Explore the meaning of architectural typology and examine the context of the theoretical, cultural and historical bias versus social reality. (2) Examine the overall application level of identified typological factors in the design process to determine the value and use of building typologies in current architectural practice. (3) Identify the degree of use of architectural typology in various building projects to verify how the typological approach represent practitioner's use and repeat building concept that has proved its effectiveness and formal value as one aspect of the design matrix. (4) Examine the tendency of typological strategies in the design process and the personal characteristics of the practitioner.; Consequently, this research developed a theoretical argument to demonstrate the basis of architecture's difficult terrain between cultural phenomena (Type theory) and social reality (practice). Therefore, it is expected that this research will elevate the understanding of architectural typology as a discipline, which is to say as a coherent body of knowledge of thought and practice.