Industrial buildings: the evolution of industrial building form as affected by changes in technology.

A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the Degree of Master of Science in Building.During the most recent period of man's transformation, the cultural evolution, man created many things. The latter part of this epoch was dominated by industry, when man created special structures solely for manufacturing purposes. The first stage was the Handicrafts or Eotechnic phase and was charecterlsed by the use of manpower and wind and water power. During the second stage, the Manufacturing or Paleotechnic phase, man made use of steam and electricity. This stage was regarded as functional in Europe and mechanised in the USA. The changes in form In these stages follow the same patterns as the technoloqlcal process, although the patterns are not unilinear, equal or similar in duration, the first stage evolutionary, the second stage more revolutionary. The changes were predominantly the result of technical pressures, but to a minor extent also of economical, aesthetical, philosophical and sociological pressures. Of late managerial pressures have contributed to the changes as well. A causality is thus revealed in that the changes in form are a consequence of holistic changes in these pressures. However, tho nature and essence of the industrial building as an enclosed space where something is produced remains constant, whatever the pressures.Andrew Chakane 201