TYPOLOGICAL RESEARCH

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TYPOLOGICAL RESEARCH

• Thypological research investigates the object
  constancy in a variable context

The term Thypology means Study of the thypes
(from greek tipo-logos print, model, figure)
Typological research compares and classifies
types and determines their variants in various
context
An architectural type is a category of
architectural designs with common
characteristics conveyed in a schema.
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Types and Models
According with Quatremère de Quincy (1755-1849)
and Giulio Carlo Argan (1909- 1992) a type must
be distinguished from a model
A Model is a way to recognize an object or to
propose a new one, using a unique and exact
cultural reference, which has an objective
counterpart in reality.
A Type is a logic abstraction made to compare and
to associate different objects in order to make a
classification.
A Type is an object according to which everyone
can conceive works that not resemble each other.
in the model everything is given and precise, in
the type everything is more or less vague.
Quatremère de Quncy, Historical dictionary of
Architecture
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Form, structure and function types
The formulation of a type is conditioned from the
fact that exists a series of objects having one
or more obvious funcional or formal analogy.
Form type if the common characteristics are only
related to form
Organic form
Geometric form
Tree, stem, umbel, flower
Construction elements, constructions, urban
ensembles, neighbourhoods
Combinatoric tranformations using operations like
INTERSECTION, ADDICTION, SUBSTRACTION
Structure type if the characteristics of the
type are strictly related with the iterance of
its primary elements
The peripteros and the basilica are structure
types because the colums and dividing wall are
indispensable in their constellation. If we
imagine the planimetric scheme deriving from a
domino piece, it is impossible to add it in the
same structure type.
Function type if the function is included in its
shared characteristics
The function concept presupposes implicitly an
elaborate external structure
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Typology as a principle of classification
a functional taxonomy
the concept of typology is worth as principle of
classification based on sure analogies. When the
class of phenomena become larger, is perceived
the necessity to group them and to order them in
categories or classes. The typological grouping
does not have the purpose of the artistic
appraisal neither of the historical definition
common or highest level works of whichever time
and place can re-enter in the same typological
class.
Function type

• Taxonomy based upon social differentiation at an
  urban level

• Jakubowsky and Parsons sub-division
• (social differentiation and function division)

• Pierre Georges categorisation
• The trias urbanica

• Economy
• Culture
• Management

• Trias politica
• legislative/ judicial/ executive power
• Trias cultura
• religion/ art/ education
• Trias economica
• production/ trade/ consumption

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Form and structure types

• Taxonomy based upon the pinciple of the implicit
  function characteristics

Urban functions can be spatially concentrated or
de-concentrated this leads to various types.

• Concentrate living
• Segregation between
• different functions

All these type characteristics are
scale-sensitive Something considered
segregation in one specific framework can be
considered inter-weaving within a larger
framework. Scale Paradox
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Image type

• Taxonomy based upon the pinciple of the cultural
  connotations

• In architecture an image type is a scale-less
  image of the archetype preceding the form

• In landscape architecture the term is also used
  as a function type recognising just the visual,
  tactile, moving impression that an artefact
  leaves in many people collectively

• The image type involves directly the sense in the
  remembrance of people, and is full of collective
  historical and cultural connotations.

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The typological criterion never lead to defined
results On one hand, it is because there are
many and various topics in which is possible to
proceed for the classification (functions,
structures, forms, etc.), on the other, it is
because, once that a class is formed, it is
always possible to ulteriorly subdivide it in
further more specific classes, with a process
that stops only in front of the unicum.
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