The New Paradigm
Authors
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-06-02
Pages
171
Abstract
This master’s thesis introduces The New Paradigm, a reimagined building culture for the Danish parcelhus. The project stems from a growing dissatisfaction with the lack of lasting value in contemporary architecture and a recognition of the disconnect between current environmental ideals and the dominant model of the parcelhus, a typology that holds deep cultural significance in Denmark. The New Paradigm challenges this model by redefining sustainability through the lens of affective sustainability, seeking to create homes that carry emotional depth and long-term relevance while aligning with today’s societal values. A critical assessment of sustainability-focused architectural practices and an exploration of how contemporary ideals intersect with the dream of the parcelhus led to the formulation of a central problem statement. In response, a new building culture was proposed, grounded in affective sustainability and aimed at addressing the challenges facing the typology today. This vision was articulated in a manifesto that formed the foundation for the design process, where ideas were translated into form. The process followed an integrated and iterative approach, drawing from Bryan Lawson’s How Designers Think and principles of the Integrated Design Process. This dynamic, non-linear workflow is capable of addressing multiple challenges simultaneously in the pursuit of a cohesive, integrated solution. The outcome is The New Paradigm; a flexible and future-oriented interpretation of the parcelhus. It accommodates values such as densification, environmental responsibility, shared living, and downsizing. Designed with spatial generality in mind, the proposal supports adaptability to shifting human needs and diverse contexts. Its lasting relevance is ensured through a strong connection to Danish building traditions and a focus on human experience, expressed through legibility, robustness, tectonic clarity, and material sensibility, all contributing to its lasting, affective qualities.
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