Volumen 11 (2016): Heft 1 (July 2016)

The article presents an analysis of the concept of novelty of artistic forms and its visual expressions in contemporary Lithuanian architecture. It is stated that the novelty is virtually manifested through utopian visions of the new world and their metamorphoses, and is made relevant by the method of experiment. Based on examples of Western European architectural utopias and experiments, the article suggests the formulated indicators of novelty, which are reflected in artistic forms of contemporary Lithuanian architecture. The aim of the research is to reveal the concept of novelty linking it with transformation and utopia, and illustrating it with the objects of contemporary Lithuanian architecture.

This study analyses motivations, results and technology of the participatory design approach. It is a review based on 32 papers, presenting recent studies on participatory design in architecture and urban planning during the time period from 2000 to 2014. As a result, the main motivations, outcomes and the role of technology are emphasised and discussed. Furthermore, recommendations for future research directions for participatory design research in the field of urban planning are also provided.

The paper is focused on ageism in urban planning, taking the Italian WWII planning heritage in Albania as a case study. It expounds three main issues: acknowledgment of modern heritage, dissemination of autocratic identity, and historical planning apparatus. The text investigates autocratic plans as purest fulfilment of Euclidean space, before relentless urban transformations affect cities.

Crime is a social phenomenon, which is closely related to human behaviour, economics, urban planning and design. The detailed research of six blocks of houses in three Lithuanian cities (Kaunas, Vilnius and Panevezys) with the highest crime rates and the most heterogeneous crimes was performed. Space syntax method, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and correlation analysis were applied. Research results demonstrate that thefts from cars, other thefts, crime against human health, robberies, small-scale hooliganism and intentional damage or destruction of property correlate with particular properties of urban spaces and design elements.

Traditional architecture is one of the most important segments in the preservation and development of cultural identity. The Lake Skadar region abounds in examples of vernacular building activity that provide the clearest evidence of the creation of settlements and houses as a result of adaptation to natural environment. The study of vernacular architecture on the shores of Lake Skadar is related to the identification and potential evaluation of its local traditional features, as ecological building forms which express the principle of sustainability. Within the framework of research on vernacular architecture of this area, analysis is undertaken with the aim of defining guidelines for revitalizing traditional settlements in this region. In this respect the emphasis of this work is on recognizing the potential and possible directions in revitalization of cultural heritage of traditional settlements in keeping with the principles of sustainable development.

Regionalism as a research subject in the built environment indicates notable complexity. This subject is complex by facing multi layered disciplines, it is questioned in time and it has a plural structure, ontological, intellectual and emotional. Presuming that regionalism concepts specifically in architecture are not much more than conjectures and attitudes assigned to it, the purpose of this study is examination of attitudes in order to correlate them with methodological tools.

Design studio, workshop, practical placement and design-build concept, are all forms of experiential learning. The aim of this paper is to investigate the significance of design-build concept and to define the extent to which it has penetrated into architectural curricula. Results indicate variety in understanding, programming and implementation among different schools. Conducted comparative analysis of different case examples could be used as a guideline to schools in which this concept has not been introduced yet.