McLean, W (2018) Technological innovation in architecture: the role of the aberrant practitioner. PhD thesis, University of Westminster, UK.
Abstract
Technological innovation in architecture can often be attributed to the work or works of individual designers and their unique (tacit) working method. Through an analysis of my published work (articles, essays, edited, coauthored and authored books), I will present how the aberrant creative process which the economist Joseph Schumpeter described as the ‘innovating entrepreneur' can enlarge the palette of technological possibilities for the architect and define a unique role within the construction industry. The published works survey and explore atypical and innovative technologies and working practices in relation to architecture. The ‘McLean’s Nuggets' column presented a series of short articles, factual and outliers (provocations in some instances) and established an expansive view of the variety and potential of technology and its application in architecture as a socially beneficial design tool. The essays, papers and books develop these themes in more detail in specific regards to five practitioners of architecture, engineering and art. The thesis has been developed through a literature review and additional interviews with featured professionals to help establish a socio-technicalhistorical context for the published works. The critical research commentary will draw together key themes of the work including innovative construction technologies and the relative acceptance and uptake of these technologies and how the architect designer through innovative or ‘aberrant' modes of practice can better embrace these innovations in a sociotechnical understanding of architecture. This thesis features the work of five protagonists each working within the field of architecture and each of whom has innovated as much through their working method as through the work itself.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | innovation; designer; professional; technological innovation; vocation; interview |
| Index terms: | practitioner, column, survey, literature review, interview, construction technology, construction industry, vocation, technological innovation, architect, designer, working practice |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, management, data analysis and analytics, profession, data collection methods, structural engineering, innovation and technology management, digital engineering, specialized education, practitioner |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Engineering Principles, Education |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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