THE PROTO-THEORY OF DESIGN: THE METHOD OF ANALYSIS OF THE ANCIENT GEOMETERS
DS 36: Proceedings DESIGN 2006, the 9th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2006
Editor: Marjanovic, D.
Author: Koskela, L.J.; Kagioglou, M.
Section: THEORY AND RESEARCH METHODS IN DESIGN
Page(s): 53-60
Abstract
It is contended that the ancient method of analysis and synthesis, developed originally by Greek geometers, provides a proto-theory of design, which unfortunately has largely been forgotten in the modern period. For justifying this claim, six central features of the method of analysis and synthesis are discussed and compared to recent developments in design theory and methodology. It is shown that various issues covered by the method analysis and synthesis have recently been rediscovered in the design science, but without any connection to it. It is argued that further development and unification of the design science requires that we return to the proto-theory of design and start to validate, criticize and expand it.
Keywords: design theory, method, analysis, synthesis, geometry