(a/A)rchitecture? : a participatory experiment

This thesis investigates the role of the architect as a facilitator with the end user in the

design-build process. Two practical case studies (involving the design and construction

of two small structures with local community groups) are used to test the hypothesis

that people who have been directly involved in the design and construction of a project

will feel a greater sense of ownership of and long term commitment to the perpetuation/

upkeep of that project. The participatory design methodology used with the groups,

drew upon research into the participatory practices of a number of architects including

Lucien Kroll, Christopher Alexander, Douglas Cardinal, Samuel Mockebee and Peter

Hubner. The practices of these architects were considered in light of Shelly Arnstein's

"Ladder of Citizen Participation,"which ranks participatory methods on a scale from non-

participation to citizen power. The same ranking system was also used to formulate a

numerical scale to evaluate the author's own exertion of control/influence during the

two case studies.