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208 Gradual Stiffening

May be part of Structure Follows Social Spaces (205), Efficient Structure (206), Good Materials (207).

Conflict

The fundamental philosophy behind the use of pattern languages is that buildings should be uniquely adapted to individual needs and sites; and that the plans of buildings should be rather loose and fluid, in order to accommodate these subtleties.

Resolution

Recognise that you are not assembling a building from components like an erector set, but that you are instead weaving a structure which starts out globally complete, but flimsy; then gradually making it stiffer but still rather flimsy; and only finally making it completely stiff and strong.

We believe that in our own time, the most natural version of this process is to put up a shell of sheet materials, and then make it fully strong by filling it with a compressive fill.

May contain Good Materials (207), Box Columns (216), Perimeter Beams (217), Wall Membranes (218), Floor-Ceiling Vaults (219).