RECYCLING OF OLD BUILDINGS: 
AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXPRESSIONAL DEBATE 
A Dissertation Submitted to the University of Moratuwa 
As a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the 
Degree of Master of Science in Architecture 
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R.W.B.N.J. RAJAKARUNA 
Department of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa 
July 1999 
71727 
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ABSTRACT 
" Buildings are judged by whether they continue to stand and serve immediate human needs. 
Architecture also; but furthermore it is judged by its ability to communicate a comprehensible 
world to it's user; and to the whole society whose functions it seeks to meet." 
(David Okeley 1970. P.24) 
Human beings have five senses with which they try to capture the essence of the environment. 
The buildings act a major role as part of the environment and as a close partner in life. If this 
role weakens, the bond between both parties may be lost. So buildings should be given 
meaningful expressions to communicate with people in order to strength it. When recycling old 
buildings changes man be done according to the varies ideas of the practitioners and there 
would be a debate. This study looks at the inside of the story of the debate behind conflicting 
expressions when recycling buildings. 
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
During on this study, many extended their unlimited support and corporation, which finally made 
this success. Hence, I would like to take this opportunity to thank for them. 
First of all I would like to extend my gratitude to my Instructor, Archt. Vidura Sri Nammuni, 
Senior Lecturer, Dept. of architecture, University of Moratuwa for his valuable advise, 
comments and encouragement on my work through out this work. 
My sincere thanks are due to Archt. Ranjith Alahakoon and Dr. L.S.R. Perera, Senior Lecturers, 
Dept. of Architecture, who gave me encouragement and showing me the path to go ahead. 
I express my special thanks to Rajith, Sithumina, Hewa, Iresha, Gamini and Mahagarna for 
helping me by providing texts, photographs and encouragements. And special thanks goes to 
Nilu for helping me in various way and giving encouragement. 
I am grateful to my parents for their continuous support and encouragement of this work. 
At last but not least I must give particular thanks to every one who helped me in finalizing the 
dissertation. 
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CONTENTS 
A B S T R A C T » 
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S iii 
L IST OF P L A T E S iv 
I N T R O D U C T I O N 1 
CHAPTER ONE • ART, ARCHITECTURE AND COMMUNICATION 
1.1 Function of art 3 
1.1.1 What is art 3 
1.1.2 Function of art 4 
1.2 Architecture as an art 5 
1.3 Communication 7 
1.3.1 Architectural communication 7 
CHAPTER TWO • EXPRESSION IN ARCHITECTURE 
2.1 Expression 10 
2.2 Expression in architecture 12 
2.3 Generators of architectural expression 16 
2.3.1.1 User (People) 17 
2.3.1.2 Activity pattern 18 
2.3.1.3 Higher purpose 21 
2.3.2.1 Context 21 
2.4 Mode of expression 23 
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CHAPTER THREE • AN EXAMINATION OF THE DEBATE 
3.1 Recycling of old buildings 
3.1.1 What is recycling 
3.1.2 Need for recycling 
3.1.3 Method of recycling 
3.2 The debate of architectural expression 
3.2.1 Examination of debate 
3.2.1.1 Position one 
3.2.1.2 Position two 
3.2.1.3 Position three 
C O N C L U S I O N 
R E F E R E N C E S 
LIST OF PLATES 
1.1 Ronchamp Chapal 
1.2 Modem built form 
1.3 New Parliament 
1.4 Old Parliament 
1.5 Town Hall 
2.1 Facial expression 
2.2 Bodily expression 
2.3 Human expression 
2.4 Expression in painting 
2.5" Lion Sculpture" 
2.6 Ardhanaviratesra Figure 
2.7 The built form express the culture and status of user 
2.8 User create different built form 
2.9 Built form of neighborhood 
2.10 Central open area as a gathering space 
2.11 Ruwanwelisaya 
2.12 Christian Cathedral 
2.13 Traditional Nubian Mosque 
2.14 Egyptian pyramid 
2.15 Man made context 
2.16 Natural and man made context 
2.17 Falling water 
2.18 Natural context 
3.1 Desert management corporation 
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3.2 The bank of California 29 
3.3 The old facade of children's clinic 32 
3.4 The new facade of office building 32 
3.5 The new entrance 32 
3.6 Durable and economical partition 33 
3.7 Recycled furniture 34 
3.8 Simple detailing with using timber and metal 34 
3.9 A play area 34 
3.10 Former dining room of Van Renssellaer Mansion 35 
3.11 Rehabilitated old exterior facade 36 
3.12 A stained glass domed 36 
3.13 The building fell into decay 37 
3.14 Low arches of reinforced concrete 37 
3.15 The arches of the vaulted lower floor 37 
3.16 Slim cast iron tree like stanchions 38 
3.17 One clothing shop interior 38 
3 . 1 8 The exterior character of building 39 
3.19 The Cumberland hill school after S E D C O renovation 39 
3.20 Executive office area 39 
3.21 Old facade of " black box" 40 
3.22 The building facade after renovation 41 
3.23 The new entrance lobby 41 
3.24 Aesthetic of industrial interior 42 
3.25 Restaurant and " tea chest" counter 43 
3.26 Top floor entrance passage 43 
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3.27 The tea factory 43 
3.28 An industria own restaurant 44 
3.29 A reception desk over looks a new glass and steel store front 45 
3.30 Create seamless black drops 45 
3.31 Recycled furniture 45 
3.32 Auto garage inside converted as studio 45 
3.33 Cuyahoga building 48 
3.38 Fire house civic center 51 
3.39 Roof detail of new addition area 53 
3.40 Recycled interior to give full spatial quality 53 
3.41 New addition of old house 54 
3.42 Club Vil la-old and new 54 
3.43 New addition of old building 55 
3.44 New addition with historical existence 55 
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