Week Three : Thoughts on Suburban Scenario

Talking this week about measuring the sustainability of design in terms of patterns and principles was an encouraging  prospect. Being familiar with A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander I found the extension of patterns an interesting concept. While I have used this language in the past  to my ground my design the notion a hierarchy from fundamental principles to pattern to a final contextual outcome I believe is an approach with the potential to allow me to explore my ideas in more complexity.

Coming together within the suburban theme to form a project one team we all had a lot of ideas and background research to share. From the basis of a sustainable framework our main intention was to produce a holistic vision which supported our future scenario. The below mind map is a basic indication of the thought process behind our final outcome.

Refining these concepts we decided upon a scenario in which society has reverted to a traditional existence. An existence the product of on-going recession that has forced people to question what is truly valuable. These humble values overlay with significant technological innovation has produced a wave of community based production and collaboration. The below slideshow we put together for a short presentation to the class, outlining the basis of our idea.

To further expand the following is my attempt at a concise statement of what I interpret this future scenario to behold: Following decades of recession the thirties have emerged as an age of new evolution. The consumerist lifestyle suffered greatly and the world grieved its luxurious existence. Emerging from this reality however was a humility that had previously been lost. People were forced to examine their lives and what many found was a dreadful reflection. A return to fundamental ideals has been the result, our most basic needs of love, nourishment and unity underpin the communal mindset and success is today measured not by what we have but by what we can contribute. We live a generous lifestyle and this is reflected in our built environment.