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Theoretical bases for enterprise architecture. The style of an organization, the significance of space
The use of Architectural concepts within enterprises,
Introduction
I. A selection of concepts from the theory of architecture:
II. Business knowledge and industry
III. Translation to a industrial environment.
IV. Result: the used concepts
V. The model
VI. How about information?
VII. Finally
VIII. Proceedings
IX. References
How can we use concepts from the architectural theory, in an enterprise environment?
For a layman, theory about architecture looks like jurisprudence in law; a wide variety of texts, together comprising the law-system. The use of architectural concepts in the field of enterprises, industry, seems the more reasonable, just because of the visibility of the concepts. Architecture is all around us; we can see and more important experience the differences in the (form of the) various buildings and we intuitively know the reasons behind these differences; just because we live there.
The life within enterprises is a lot less visible and perhaps even more complex. Simplifying enterprises by comparing them with architectural objects helps better understanding enterprises, also in the process of making choices of change.
The model we set up (in the section 'vision') works intuitively. In this study we examine the theoretical basis a step further.
Amongst various other concepts, basically architecture deals with;
Ad a. Space, matter and time.
In principal, architecture deals with space, matter and time (De Jong), where matter is the object of architecture and time an element to be considered as the spirit of an age of the architectural forthcomings.
Ad b. Style, Utility and Construction (Vitrivius).
well known are the concepts of Vitrivius: venustas, utilitas and firmitas, of which many translations are found. We use: style - for venustas -, utitity or function - for utilitas - and construction - for firmitas.
Style deals about the character of a building (enterprise), aside from the objectives and goals. Therefore, style has no direct function.
Utility deals about the goal to e served and the functions that play a role in that.
Construction is the ultimate 'form' with which a goal is to be achieved. It is the visible form and the tangible outside of things (the façade).
Ad c. Principles (Francis D.K. Ching and Viollet-le-Duc)
Ching's uses the idea of systems of architecture. Architecture is space, structure and enclosure and is being experienced in a space-time movement. It is being achieved by technology and accommodates a program (of user requirements, needs, aspirations – socio-culture, economic factors and legal restraints and historical tradition and precedents). Architecture should be compatible with its environment.
Architecture is generally conceived - designed - and realized - built - in response to an existing set of conditions. These conditions may be purely functional in nature, or they may also reflect in varying degrees the social, political and economic climate. The act of creating architecture is a problem-solving or design process. Designers inevitably and instinctively prefigure solutions to the problems they are confronted with, but the depth and range of their design vocabulary influence both their perception of a question and the shaping of an answer. Therefore, on broadening and enriching a vocabulary of design through the study of its essential elements and principles and the exploration of a wide range of solutions to architectural problems developed over the course of human history.
Ad d. Context and rituals (Spiro Kostof)
Kostof investigated social, economic and technological systems. He structures his ideas on the bases of four aspects;
1. "In the oneness of architecture" ....'the tangible presence of an building is one. The structure of the building, the esthetical refinement of its appearance, its decorations and its dressing are all part of the same......we cannot separate the structure from its esthetic conventions that design its appearance - what we call style.
No single building -2. "the setting of architecture" - is a stand-alone object that is sufficient to its self. It belongs to a bigger whole, a piece of nature, a neighborhood with other buildings..... and it borrows much of its character from the natural of artificial environment that it encloses.
Further: - 3. "the community of architecture" - for a democratic view on architectural history ...(thus) to treat all buildings with equal degree of curiosity, whether they serve religious, monumental, utilitarian or living purposes. ...this has not always been like this. Historians have mainly focused on buildings with evident presence...
Architecture is an art, a conscious creation of aesthetic form that arises above practical needs, function and structure. It is this quality that mentioned by Vitrivius with "venustas" (translated by Kostof by beauty), "utilitas" (function) and "firmitas" (structure), or according to Sir Henry Wotton - commodity, firmness & delight.
Part - 4. "the meaning of architecture" – deals with ‘what buildings are.. and why they are there and why they are the way they are.….Questions to be answered in relation to two extra material concepts, time and purpose…. Time implicates sequence (without supposing determinism)… and purpose refers to the usability where a building meets its pre-described function or rather 'ritual'.
Ad e. Organic growth (Christoffer Alexander)
Alexander stands for a rational approach to designing, where the form is to be seen as a solution to a specific problem and the designing is a analytical process - to be seen as patterns.
the thought of ‘Ritua’ connects to the thought of Alexander, who considers events essential for an architecture that is to 'live'. Events-patterns are essential in that. Investigation of events that take place (in the space that is to be constructed) is thus one of the most important tasks in the design-process.
Additionally, Alexanders' opinion is that ..… "architecture ideally comes forth by its users and not only by the architect."
In the economic playing-field it is all about activity (the original meaning of industry). In (economic) activity, the following aspects play a part:
A STATE describes the snapshot after the activity took place. The MEANS is with what the activity is used or performed. The GOAL gives a direction - the purpose (why) of the activity. For example: if someone has a (short term) goal of having a rest, he or she needs a means (Chair). The activity is 'to sit'.
This is the bases of the model, which easily applies for enterprises - although the more complex. A company has a business goal, it needs means a focuses on specific activities in order to achieve the goal.
III. Translation to an enterprise environment.
How can we translate the concepts from architecture to the enterprise environment?
A important difference is that in real life architecture the final product is a building (city, etc). An enterprise is not as such to be build. Never the less it can be seen as being build. You need then the eyes of a guide walking through a (enterprise) museum and amaze yourself with the similarities and differences amongst the various enterprises.
IV. Result: the used concepts and terminology
A. The basis; space
The term "space" can be translated in two different ways, in order to apply in the enterprise environment:
1. Space of (financial) possibilities
2. Space as environment. In this case, it concerns the coherence of the object and its environment (context).
What is the financial space for a company? For a government institution it is the present budget. In the case of an company it is share in the market. Competition plays an important part.
B. The object in the playing-field (context)
The (company) object is in the field and not without a goal.
The goal in architecture is the base of every design activity. What is the goal you want to reach by designing a new building? A Bridge for example has the goal of reunion to distant parts. An enterprise needs a goal to survive. Goal and Focus are very related; without a clear focus, the enterprise will not have a clear direction. (‘Back to the core business' - is common sense these days)
A company can also be seen to "be designed" where the different "parts" of the company (organization, infrastructure and applications) are set-up to add value (utility) accordingly to reach the goal. These parts basically are based on:
3. CONSTRUCTION.
The construction can be seen as the form 'that follows" the function - to realize the utility. In case of a company construction consists of:
4. STYLE.
Style reveals itself in many different ways. Everybody has his or her own style and people together in a company will have a specific style according to its members diversity. Think only of the distribution of male/female in an enterprise environment.
Principles are essential in describing styles. Policies have their origin in principles:
Most standard activity in a company is based on principles.
Policy is the specific measures applied in a specific area. For example the policies for hiring personnel, for investing in new equipment (state of the edge, or proven technology, etc), etc.
The context is very relevant because it has impact on the object to construct. An object is always dependent of its environment en it is here where most changes come from.
Trends (in the area of market, consumer and society) play an important part.
2. The changing of the object (and its environment).
In physical architecture this refers to either renovation and or new building. In an enterprise the diversity of changes come form (significant) reorganizations to small innovations.
Information is in every aspect of the enterprise (and thus in the model). It is not part of this study.
We follow Kostof with his thought that any company (enterprise) is interesting. Questions about the form of a particular company, its uniqueness and its resemblances with other companies.
VIII. Possible proceedings
There are many ways of following-up this practice of association of concepts from architecture with other disciplines. An example, further to study is the SCP-paradigm. The Performance of an company (economy) is influenced by its behavior (Conduct) and by the structure of its environment (by Edward Mason).
(M = P x S)
(M = P x S + c)
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