Performative architecture as a guideline for transformation Defense Line of Amsterdam

Abstract

Performance as an architectural design paradigm has been emerging during the recent years. We have developed an understanding that we formalized as a taxonomy for performative architecture that considers performance from three points of view: health, safety and security performance; functional and efficiency performance; and psychological, social, cultural, and esthetic performance. This paper focuses on a design project that explores these ideas as a performative architecture proposal. The project focuses on the architectural transformation of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, 41 forts, as a green belt. This transformation considers a holistic approach of defining a general method and guideline. We developed a series of parametric models for the definition and generation of designs. The first model computes an urbanization level for each fort. Consequently, models are developed in 4 stages: regional design, urban design, building design, and production of a scale model, and these are applied in an iterative manner to reach design outcomes for the project.