9.6 Beyond Panarchistic Parameters

The inaugural nature of this thesis and of the emerging domain within which it resides, in combination with the inherent danger wildfire presents, rendered it necessary to restrict its underlying research programme to theoretical research and speculative applications born therefrom [3.2]. In relying on theory, both scientific and otherwise, and on reflections thereupon, as opposed to in vitro and/or in natura experimentation, the findings as presented are published principally with intent to provoke new thinking as to the ways in which the challenge of living with wildfire may be addressed.

The foci of the work that of examining the potentialities as may be inherent in developing WUI resilience to wildfire through design thinking, practice and building codes modelled on ecological systems and the state-of-the-knowledge theories as relate thereto, while the latest statistical data on the performance of past and current WUI paradigms in the event of wildfire have been assessed, together with the over- arching WUI material, informatic, and structural schema, the review largely excluded data as relates to non-residential properties [i.e. commercial and civic buildings]. Furthermore, though wide-ranging data as detailed the particulars of the fire vulnerabilities within typical WUI residential buildings of present were examined, the intent not to tinker with the existing paradigm, but to clean the canvas, only select examples as were deemed highly representative of the overall nature of the vulnerabilities, and underlying issues thereof, were selected for discussion. Concerned with the biochemistry, behaviours and systems of buildings, and there not intent to substitute the role of architect or planner, but to provide of research and tools as may prove useful thereto, this work provides not of architectural or urban plans, sketches or other illustrations as prescribe how the findings and speculations as presented would appear in practice.

Wildfire and its regimes varying worldwide, this thesis concerns only the variants as populate the case study region. Therein, its findings and speculations are posited not with intent for universal application in fire-prone regions, be that elsewhere in the Americas, or beyond. Whereupon its philosophical and conceptual tenants were to be considered in other biogeographical contexts, independent studies as evaluated the regional fire ecologies, fire return frequencies, intensities, severities, and behaviours would need ensue.

>Continue to Chapter 9.7 here.

The thesis is also available in PDF format, downloadable in several parts on Academia and Researchgate.

Note that figures have been removed from the digital version hosted on this site, but are included in the PDFs available at the links above.

Citation: Sterry, M. L., (2018) Panarchistic Architecture: Building Wildland-Urban Interface Resilience to Wildfire through Design Thinking, Practice and Building Codes Modelled on Ecological Systems Theory. PhD Thesis, Advanced Virtual and Technological Architecture Research [AVATAR] group, University of Greenwich, London.