Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1979.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH.Includes bibliographical references.This study was done in relation to contextual levels; A general level of structural-methodical rationalization problems of the planning and design process. This general level was related mainly to the building types which respond to extreme external conditions (such as topography,climate or social economic conditions) The specific level of terrace houses as an example of buildings of that kind and their adaptation process and mechanisms to the external conditions as rational, systematic development process. The S.A.R. approach serves as a background reference for this study. Some proposals were made to adopt the S.A.R design methodology in the case of terrace houses. The 'Morphogical Box' method which was developed by F. Zwicky for the systematic generation of alternative planning solutions was modified and applied in the classification and analysis purposes as well as in structuring the planning and design process to accommodate different external conditions and changing design objectives. These two systematic approaches were applied in the proposals for the rationalization of terrace houses.by Gabriel M. Nattel.M.Arch
