Tombesi, P (1997) Travels from flatland: The Walt Disney concert hall and the specialization of design knowledge in the building sector. PhD thesis, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Abstract
This thesis is a study of the distribution of design expertise in the U.S. building process, and the implications of its evolving patterns for architectural work and practice. It stems from the idea that a process of knowledge specialization, and parallel fragmentation of responsibilities, is well under way in the building industry, and may affect the form of the design process, the function of the architect within it, the structure of the architectural office, and the nature of the employment. To reflect on these issues, the dissertation examines the composition of the project team assembled for one of Frank O. Gehry's major projects, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The analysis highlights the network of design contributions, and the roles fulfilled by different types of consultants and trade specialists vis-a-vis the 'core' team of architects and engineers. After likening the building process to a 'system of design production,' I show that the organization of the specific project can be read in light of economic concepts normally employed by the literature on production systems. Through a review of the market of each project participant, I then prove that the allocation of responsibilities for Disney Hall is consistent with the way design knowledge and services are supplied in the building industry. Despite its apparent uniqueness, the case study can be considered an ideal-typical representation of how the design sector organizes. Borrowing from industrial restructuring and labor critique, the thesis brings up and discusses the various implications of this situation. These include practical aspects--such as the reduction of the technical gap between architectural firms, the possible reorganization of the market of design services, and the importance of addressing the relation between architect and specialists--but also more substantial issues, like the need for a conceptual re-formulation of "building design" and a careful reconsideration of the notion of "professionalism. "
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Adelson, M |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | fragmentation; market; project team; building industry; building design; building process; employment; major projects; professionalism; specialization; architects; consultant; professional; case study |
| Index terms: | production system, design process, Los Angeles, specialization, fragmentation, Gehry, professionalism, building process, case study, architectural firm, building design, critique, major project, engineer, employment, architect, building industry, project team, dissertation |
| Subjects: | project delivery, architectural and construction history, strategic project management, architectural design, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, research dissemination and communication, profession, business, design methods, building construction, industry analysis, manufacturing engineering, management, Geography, professional development |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Human Resources, Organizational Design, Site Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here