Externalities in Architecture examines the impact of financing models and business cases on the built environment. 

Does the architecture of owner-occupied homes differ from rental homes? What are the aesthetics of the investments of pension funds? How are choices regarding inclusivity, affordability, and future-proofing of the built environment influenced by the financial flows behind the architecture? The research seeks to identify underlying constants and parallels between outcomes and processes using recent Dutch construction projects, with a specific focus on financing and procurement models.

A first aspect of the research is the dataset—a digital library of reference projects. It gathers photos and plans of built projects and archives them under procedural conditions such as financing models and land policy. This approach results in a library where commonalities can be visually represented. To place the dataset in a broader financial context, a taxonomy of development strategies and corresponding flows of money is created, resulting in the landscape of development strategies.

Together with information design agency The Anderen, a platform is developed that bridges the scale of individual buildings with the scale of the financial landscape. It offers both linear and non-linear approaches to exploring information about the hidden financial flows behind built architecture. It serves as a presentation tool for showcasing the research and also invites users to explore the website independently, where the author’s annotations provide insights and reflections for individual visitors. Users are presented with a split-screen interface, giving them simultaneous access to information from both external and internal perspectives. Different zoom levels and overlays of development strategies structure the various information layers. By inviting users to switch between information layers, new connections can be made, and knowledge can be expanded.

Read more on the prototype platform at externalities.riklambers.nl
Project is kindy supported by a grant from the Creative Industries Fund NL