Industrial buildings: the evolution of industrial building form as affected by changes in technology
Date
1995
Authors
Van Heerden, Wikus
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
During the most recent period of man's transformation,
the cultural evolution, man created many things. The
latter part of this epoch was dominated by industry, when
man created special structures solely for manufacturing
purposes.
The first stage was the Handicrafts or Eotechnic phase
and was charecterlsed by the use of manpower and wind
and water power. During the second stage, the
Manufacturing or Paleotechnic phase, man made use of
steam and electricity. This stage was regarded as
functional in Europe and mechanised in the USA.
The changes in form. In these stages follow the same
patterns as the technological process, although the
patterns are not unilinear, equal or similar in duration, the
first stage evolutionary, the second stage more
revolutionary. The changes were predominantly the result
of technical pressures, but to a minor extent also of
economical, aesthetlcal, philosophical and sociological
pressures. Of late managerial pressures have contributed
to the changes as well. A causality is thus revealed in
that the changes in form are a consequence of hoilstic
changes in these pressures.
However, tho nature and essence of the industrial building
as an enclosed space where something is produced
remains constant, whatever the pressures.
Description
A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Architecture,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the
Degree of Master of Science in Building.
Keywords
Architecture, Industrial--History