Research proposal on Berlin’s Architecture

Proposed Research Topic: A situational analysis of the relationship and influence of Berlin’s past Architectural designs on the modern ones. Purposes: TeNeues (2003) argues that a situational analysis and approach should be applied on architectural designs as a practical successive progress, rather than trying to conceptualize these designs as just what the designers think off or decide to put into place. This approach will more particularly explore how the Architectural designs are a product of the past ones; as they are to a great extent influenced upon by and related to the past designs.

This study will also cover the issues of the basis and sources of the model architectural designs, particularly with regard to the phenomena that has directed the architectural thinking towards this direction and the usefulness of this situational approach as it has rarely been developed and applied in Architectural literature (TeNeues, 2003). Background: I will carryout my study on the different teams that are operating within the field of Architectural designing within the region of Berlin.

Barkow Leibinger Architects will be the company to be used as a centre for the study as it offers the services of architecture and master planning. Additionally, this company has worked on successful projects like the Trumpf Restaurant and event space. Based on that this firm is Berlin based; it is evident from the architectural designing it has put into place that highly depicts the influence and characteristics of earlier architectural models.

For this study I will evaluate and analyse their architectural designs pointing out the traits passed down from earlier designs and the influence of the earlier designs on the new ones with regard to the architectural expertise used and the materials utilised. This will be carried out in the areas of new projects for five hours a day, though I will also make enquiries regarding the areas that prove rather difficult to analyse or document about on my own.

The other aspect that I will utilise with reference to attaining these results will be interacting with the workers and clients to get a few views regarding the models (TeNeues, 2003). Scope: I will make use of participant-observation over a two-week period for five hours a day; typically observing the designs put into place while documenting the observation and keeping record of the views and hints given by the engineers among other workers. On other days I will vary the timing for the observation so as to attain a comparative picture of the design applications and the views of different staff.

Towards attaining these I will offer structured interviews from time to time; so as to acquire information about the time of future investments, the number of participants, and the studies carried out before the operations begin (TeNeues, 2003). Theoretical framework: I will be directed normally by the interpretive point of view and more particularly by TeNeues (2003) situational analysis. The interpretive point of view mainly focuses on understanding the significance and standpoint of the choice of the design to be applied and how the choice is arrived at.

I will also explore the meanings the different staff and customers have regarding these designs and the relationship they likely place between the two and the projected results. The situational perspective will further create the need that the study focuses on one or a few specific projects which are to be analysed in details; thus the most appropriate mode of studying the topic from this standpoint is a comparative analysis of the designs and the symbolic significance contained in each of them (TeNeues, 2003).

Method: 1. Perform a literature evaluation on the architectural designs employed by the focus company. 2. Monitor the operations of the company through the current project five hours a day for two weeks, focusing mainly on the designs and the rationale behind the choice of the different designs and the past design influencing the choice. 3. Interview team members to clarify and provide insight into the choice of designs. I will ensure I conduct the interviews during the time of design choice and employment.

However, despite the fact that the interviews will not be structured or formal; the kinds of question to be asked will include starting with broad based questions then following–up on the informants’ responses to capture their personalised meanings so as to avoid the imposition of meanings on the interviewees (TeNeues, 2003). a. Tell me about the current project b. What issues guided the choice for the utilised architectural design c.

What influenced the choice of this design and what were they trying to accomplish from using the given design? e. What success expectations do you have for the project? f. How would you describe the current project in general? 4. Undertake a situational analysis of the study notes and interview notes, guided by theoretical models. 5. Write a research report that combines my understanding of the relevant theory and previous research with the results of my empirical research. Timetable: Prepare proposal by 14 July

Complete literature review by 16 July Complete fieldwork by 18 July Complete analysis by 20 July Give presentation on 24 July Complete final report by 28 July Limitations: The tightly packed study schedule will limit the time to be allocated to this study to two weeks which may not be ideally enough to make a fully comprehensive study regarding this topic. The other limitation is that some of the officers may not be fully cooperative in providing the information required for the study (TeNeues, 2003).

Delimitations: For this study I choose not to observe multiple operation units despite the fact that the comparisons might provide valuable information in order to allow for a more into depth understanding of the focus group. Additionally, I will not make use of formal or structured interviews with the view to minimise the chances of obtrusiveness and influencing the views of the informants (TeNeues, 2003). References TeNeues, P. (2003). Berlin and guide (Architecture and design guides), Multilingu edition. New York: TeNeues Publishers.