Thesis Dissertation Development

PHASE I and II : General Thesis Development 

Phase I 

    The research was commenced at the start of the second term as part of the Sustainable Design Principle, Perspe ctives and Practices (DDM002) module. The experience was set to find a stable network of interrelated ideas in otherwise disparate learnings from vernacular and sustainable designs. The majority of the study was based on scant written work that represents the limited scholarly pieces on vernacular design and the recently emerging research on sustainable design. The main objective of the study was to investigate the shared practices between vernacular and sustainable design,and to possibly create a guiding rubric or a paradigm that can reinforce both studies in terms of structure and a clearer ontology. 

DDM002: Sustainable Design Principles, Perspectives and Practices Output.
Charting reinforcing practices for the participatory approach within the current studies in vernacular design. 

     It also tries to bring the studies closer to not only designers but to the general population the fact that sustainable design is not a conception of the modern world. Our ancestors had (and some people still carry on their traditions) successfully sustained their civilisations guided solely by what we now refer to as vernacular design. 

     Linking these disciplines together sheds light to a confusing network of theories already observed but are sometimes redundant and are observed to be more effective when integrated. 

     The research directions were defined by focusing on the participatory approaches of both VD and DfS. Participation, multi-laterally was found to be a key to establishing strong connections among program stakeholders. The linkages are forged during the engagement activities as well as by managing systems of collaboration. 

    The methodologies inherently ingrained in vernacular design was found to be the most participatory of all the present schools of thought and are subscribed to be adapted to the participatory approaches of DfS.

Phase II

PHASE II : Continuing the "Discovery" Stage 

    The research design of the DDM003 (major design project) has been anchored on the findings described in 002. It was meant to explore a practical angle to the findings; first by testing the results further, then reinforcing the claims, and finally to design a public, online database of proven engaging and truly participatory design methodologies for the use of all relevant stakeholders. The data gathering was commenced with a focused group discussion between project managers of different non-profit organisations based in Manila. The FGD turned out to be an exploratory meeting that delved into the various ways where the thesis can be directed and conducted. Scoping reports had been crucial in shaping and later informing the development of the thesis topic. These scoping reports became brief, modified “ethnographic design” research that made it possible to formulate observations (and later conclusions) that are assumed to be sensitively and holistically considered. KII, ad hoc immersions, and photo documentation were part of a series of methods employed. The areas for study were several provinces in Mindanao Island, Philippines--host to a massive third party intervention and grassroots development work mainly involving indigenous peoples and peoples in conflict. Chronicling the participatory practices of the identified organisations reaped common key learnings. Among these, integration of values, emerged focal.

Phase III

Processual 

    Echoing the findings in DDM002, the process was again highlighted as a crucial component in the participatory approach. This time integrating values became the primary benchmark for deciding whether programs are effectively set into the beneficiaries. It must also be noted that this process has to be iterative, and repetitions must be embedded in all points of participation from ice breakers during workshops to simple verbal reminders in order to ensure that the message was being put across. 

PHASE III : "Development" of the output and projected "Delivery"

    In sync with the topic, the audience for this study had continuously evolved. The compilation of participatory approaches formulated on the second phase targeted the non-profit organizations, development workers and their client communities as study audience and to a certain point as project beneficiaries (as design output was envisioned to be of practical use). After finalizing research directions and choosing a single, outstanding data thread a third phase for the study had to be established to signify the development. From having several groups as study audience, the shift in topic thread also trimmed down entities to whom the project will be of best use. The focus was directed on designers. 


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