Holism vs. Sustainability in Construction

Abstract

Introduction, motivation: almost 40 years of observation, work and cooperation with investors, designers, contractors, manufacturers, distributors, authorities directly in the construction, rescue of monuments, problem solving, design, implementation, maintenance of facilities is a field of research. I have been there to see how and why construction facilities are implemented, used and protected. The title holism is a good method for analyzing problems but also a tool for predicting the necessary characteristics of what we want to create. Holism is a way of thinking about a problem. Where it is applied it gives good results, especially in the long term. It allows one to see the consequences of the flow of time more easily than reductionism. The study of the causes of a problem is broader which allows us to better diagnose and solve it. It makes you always analyze the effects on the whole object and its environment. It places each problem in the context of nearer, farther, sometimes very far and the passage of time. An important element is the analysis of human behavior during the creation and life of the object. Most of the ways to research and determine the condition of objects are obviously known and used. The problem is to determine them (almost) all and the details. Understanding Aristotle's "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know." is crucial here. The point is to explore and come to a conclusion without "closing the door" to more sometimes diametrically opposed knowledge as you go along. Holism in construction can be formulated, describing principles so as to facilitate broader analysis. Such an approach is desirable, which will give the opportunity to benefit from the results to people with different levels of competence, that is, the majority. The purpose of the paper is to try to systematize the approach and show, with examples, why it is worth using. Method: shown in the table are the elements of the research method used in the appraiser's practice. Some areas and elements should be analyzed for the recognition and determination of conditions, impacts and behaviors of construction objects are described. It was determined how to situate the problem in the broadest possible context, with particular attention to typical human behavior. As it turns out, this context is underestimated here. Due to the small volume of the text, examples were limited to the analysis of two relevant elements: lime mortar brick masonry and monolithic reinforced concrete. Objects from the appraiser's practice were selected. For masonry, a school building from the early 20th century and a farmhouse from the mid-19th century. For reinforced concrete, the school swimming pool erected in 1968 and the building of the printing house from 1972, both in emergency condition. Results: The time caesura is important for the results of the conducted research. The indicated errors in the selection of repair methods and materials are due to simplistic methods of analyzing problems. Overlooking the longevity of existence under different conditions and the most important influence of human behavior at each stage of the establishment, use and existence of building structures prove to be crucial.

Full Paper