Genotype-Phenotype: Investigations in Typology

by Pontius, Sarah E.

Historically, building typology has been discussed as an organizational method of categorizing building form, independent of function and program. However, typologies can still have associations with social functions, meaning that a newer building type can have dialogue with older models and concepts through treatment of typological characteristics. This document seeks to define the characteristics that form a typology, to better appreciate this inherent understanding of buildings. The method of investigation determines the criteria of a genotype from the study of a series of phenotypes. Specifically, the building types investigated are the riding stable and the therapeutic type, which is derived from the mental institution, hospital, physical rehabilitation center, drug rehabilitation center, and spa. The resultant design is a therapeutic riding center that incorporates the strict formal arrangements of the riding stable with the looser criteria of the therapeutic type. The conceptual basis of the final product is derived from typology, investigating layering types in combination as well as allowing new forms to emerge.