Assimilation Collating knowledge and experience with a community body in order to acquire contextual requirements and place people within the design hierarchy.
Through observation and appropriation of a community’s collective consciousness, the architect can start to form a perceptive physicalisation of a world that has certain significance to a community. This principle takes into account the ‘Communication’ and ‘Symbolic artefacts’ strands of the ‘identification triad theory’ and their relationship to communal engagement. As per the aforementioned second stage of the socio-environmental analysis process, this process allows the appropriation of a perceived world, both for the individual’s benefit and for the purposes of a significant physical intervention. Architectural theorist Meltem Yilmaz discussed the impact of communities on the longevity of identity when stating; “to ensure the protection of socio-cultural traits of identity, as in the case of architectural heritage, requires close co-operation between local communities and the state” (Yilmaz.M, 2006, p.145). An example of communal integration in the design process that benefited communal identity is Castleford Bridge in West Yorkshire (Fig.8). Designed by McDowell+Benedetti Architects and completed in July 2008, this project “was one of a number of community-led design projects developed as part of the town of Castleford’s regeneration.” (RIBA, 2011, p.8). The aim was to link the north and south of Castleford’s riverside community connecting Aire Street to Mill Lane (Fig.9). During public meetings in local bars, clubs and community centres,
Castleford Bridge Fig.8 Castleford Bridge (Benedetti Architects, 2019)
Castleford Bridge Fig.9 Castleford Bridge (Matter Architecture, 2019)
Castleford Bridge Fig.10 Castleford Bridge (World Architecture News, 2008)
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