Dragon1 Standard: Architecture

Architecture as Concept

This page describes the vision of the concept of architecture as part of the Dragon1 way of thinking. This page shows how one can describe the Building Architecture of the Colosseum using this way of thinking.

Building Architecture and Enterprise Architecture are about concept design and implementation, social activity systems, and physical structures. Dragon1 defines architecture fundamentally, resulting in a foundation that unites both sciences.

Architecture is one of the magical words in every language. When we think of architecture, we think of great megastructures built in the past thousands of years or built recently as modern art.

We have studied building architecture for years and applied its foundations to enterprise architecture. To be more specific, let us examine the structure of an enterprise.

On this page, you get a high-level introduction to the Dragon1 Way of Thinking on architecture and enterprise architecture.

What is Architecture?

In Dragon1, we define architecture in two ways: 1) as a field of science and 2) as the architecture of a structure (or a system).

1. The first definition of Architecture from the scientific field is: the design and supervision of the construction and change of mega structures.
2. The second definition of Architecture of a structure is: a total concept of a structure being a coherent set of constructive concepts, operative concepts, and decorative concepts.

From this follows that an architect is a designer, a project manager, and a supervisor.

The architect takes the stakeholders on a journey from the current state (AS-IS) of the site or environment to the future state (TO-BE). On that journey, many things can happen. Working with architecture helps to mitigate risks and ensure successful outcomes.

1. A system is defined as a set of collaborating entities realizing common goals. A structure is a specialization of the system. Not all systems are structures, like a bag of sand.
2. A structure is defined as the arrangement and relationship of constructive, operative, and decorative entities in a complex system. So, a structure is not all about construction; it is more. Humans, buildings, and enterprises are structures that have their own architectures. They have all vibrant spaces where a lot is happening inside.
3. An architecture of a structure or a system is the total concept of a structure or a system, containing constructive, operative, and decorative concepts. Buildings, enterprises, and humans share the same concept of architecture.
4. A concept is defined as an approach abstracted from its implementation. Examples of concepts are walking, sleeping, moving, spiraling against vortex shedding, and self-service.
5. A principle is defined as the enforced way something, like a concept, works and produces results. A principle at the logical level states the core elements that are arranged or collaborated. At the physical level, it outlines the components; at the implementation level, it specifies the technical products.

With a small set of terms (architecture, structure, system, concept, principle, element, owner/client, stakeholder, and architect), architecture for buildings and enterprises can be created at a high level.

Sometimes architecture is defined as a certain description or documentation of a system, but that is not a workable definition. That would mean that without documentation, there would be no architecture for that system.

Writing good definitions is a hard task. We stay close to three rules for good definitions: Does the definition only use previously defined terms? Does the definition quantify and qualify? Are there any counterexamples for the definition?

Dragon1 Core Meta Model

Below, you see the core meta model of Dragon1.

It shows the 35 most important entity classes and their relationships. You can find all the entity classes mentioned here. Every one of these ten entity classes is defined in the Glossary of Terms, containing over 300 terms. These terms can be used on the platform to model any architecture.

Architectural Styles

Building and landscape architects also define their style of architecture and type of structure, like a church, bridge, office building, hotel, opera, shopping mall, park, or garden. They are familiar with various architectural styles and types of structures for their specific type of structure. They like to mix and blend those types into a unique one.

Take, for instance, Central Park in New York. That is a unique, successful combination of architectural landscape styles and park types. You might want to look around on the internet and read the fantastic story about how it was designed, approved by the public, and finally built. Great story.

Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture is an architectural style (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture). The gothic architecture of a specific church is the gothic concepts applied to that structure.

Common Gothic concepts are the pointed arch, the ribbed vault (which evolved from the joint vaulting of Romanesque architecture), and the flying buttress. Any church built without these concepts will hardly be recognized as Gothic Church.

The Function of Architecture

The function of architecture is to be able to design and construct structures that are much more sound, functional, and aesthetic, answering a variety of (conflicting) requirements that would otherwise not have been easy or possible to construct.

The function of Enterprise Architecture, in particular, is to enable enterprise transformation.

Architecture helps us to manage and control complexity and to deal with continuous change in a structure.

12 World Wonders

Examples of structures are houses, office buildings, churches and mosques, bridges, cars, airplanes, and organizations and enterprises. These are all complex systems.

Examples of structures that are built by doing great architecture are: The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, The Palais Garnier Opera in Paris, The Colosseum in Rome, The Beijing Airport, The Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, The West Edmonton Mall in Canada, Hong Kong Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Hotel Abraj Kudai in Mecca, The London Underground, The Airbus A380 Airplane, The Chinese Wall and The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza.

Building Architecture vs Enterprise Architecture

As building architecture focuses on designing and constructing structures to create functional space, enterprise architecture, according to Dragon1, focuses on the same for enterprises.

Buildings and enterprises can be classified as structures, and both can be designed and constructed. Because both concepts and their principles are available for design and construction, the same concept of architecture can be applied to them.

Organizations and enterprises are getting so complex and changing continuously that the only way to keep that manageable is to have all change and innovation be done using architecture.

All enterprises and organizations form interconnected and collaborative ecosystems. The IT infrastructures and digital service facilities must always be available and secure to support business processes. Enterprise architecture is a proven management instrument that guides the journey of change for every enterprise or organization.

The Colosseum Architecture

The reason to look now at the Colosseum architecture is to show that its architecture can be unveiled as a total concept. Many of the concepts we know today originate from the Colosseum, as you can see.

The Colosseum is constructed out of many concepts. The total concept of the Colosseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a half-open amphitheater. The Colosseum has been a blueprint with this for many other Amphi theaters.

Some well-known generic and specific concepts used in the design and construction of the Colosseum are:

• Arena
• Podium
• Gladiator
• Spectator
• Spectacle & Event
• Seats
• Cellars
• Travertine
• Colonnade
• Cavea
• Corridors
• Machines
• Velum
• Arches
• Drainage
• Line
• Shape
• Color
• Texture
• Value
• Form
• Balance
• Contrast
• Emphasis
• Movement
• Pattern
• Rhythm
• Unity and Variety
• Symmetry and asymmetry
• Eye catcher

The Colosseum structure includes all the old/classical architectural orders for constructing columns.

Here is a picture that looks into the Colosseum, where we can still see parts of these concepts.

To already think ahead of enterprise architecture, would it be possible and wise always to create a scale model and diagram based on the type of photos you see here: a scale model, a cross-section, a ground floor plan, and an aerial view.

Total Concept Design Sketch or Architecture Vision

Using the concepts, a functions diagram and concepts diagram can be created by the architect where he relates the needs, issues, concerns, and requirements of stakeholders to the functions and functions to the concepts to justify the selection of these functions and concepts. Functions are defined as the fulfillment of the task. A function can be regarded as a generic concept without any (recognizable) technology (because of etymology).

In building and landscape architecture, it is also done that the site or environment is photographed, visualized, and examined thoroughly in its current state. If you build a bridge or a building, you don't want it to sink into the ground immediately.

These diagrams need to be discussed and changed in many cycles over and over again with the stakeholders and the architect until the most important stakeholders agree with it.

Next, the architect creates a total concept design sketch at A0 size using metaphorical pictures and icons for all the functions and concepts, hinting and highlighting certain elements and showing that the structure or solution can answer all the use scenarios or use cases. For example, in the case of the Colosseum, all types of events can be held with the desired outcomes.

The Ground Floor Plan or Structure Vision

Because some subjects and issues are better discussed and explained using a 2D visualization, architects create a floor plan for every level of the structure.

A ground floor plan like the one for the Colosseum shows how every spectator will have a certain view of the spectacle, how many spectators it can hold, how many gladiators can play at the same time, and other things.

Concept Sketches and Principle Details Diagram

Now, the architect takes all the concepts and writes and draws down the definition of the concept, an overview of the concept, and the way the concept works in general (its first principle). He draws a drawing of how the concept will work and be applied in this case. Sometimes, a concept has to be adjusted to the context. The architect discovers and reveals all elements (at the logical level) and components (at the physical level) that must collaborate to implement the principles.

It is important to note that architects are normally the ones who are responsible for creating a program of requirements and for calculating and budgeting how much the usage of certain concepts costs, how much time it takes, and how many resources are required.

In the table below, you see some example of concepts and their first principle.

Concept	Principle	Key Elements
A...	A....	A...
B...	B....	B...
C...	C....	C...

The Architecture Plan and Logical and Physical Design

Now, the architect knows all of the elements of the environment and the structure. This enables him to create a logical-level design overview and detailed designs for each function or concept.

Likewise, he creates a physical level design and detailed designs. And, of course, every part of the design is discussed with and reviewed by the owner/client and stakeholders to approve it (because they must pay for it).

Also, the architect creates an architectural plan. A project document tells how the designs are used to construct the solution. Later, the contractors will make a much more detailed plan for their part of the structure or project.

The Creativity and Experience of an Architect

Architecture is design science and incorporates design thinking. Not two structures and the architecture of these structures are the same.

So the list or set of concepts the architect should or must choose is unknown, and it is his job and mission to find out. And how the concepts can or must be applied in this particular case is also unknown beforehand.

Hundreds of years ago, it was customary for young beginning architects to travel around countries to see how buildings and structures were created and find out what stood erect after floods, wars, and earthquakes, and how that was possible.

Today, architects inspire themselves by visiting other sites and looking at natural, marine, and biological fields.

For instance, some architects of major construction organizations always look at where on our planet is a site that is ten years ahead of their client's site, and they look at how the problems are solved. Take, for instance, Mexico City. Many problems already exist in that area, and these exact issues will likely occur in big cities in the US, China, or other countries in ten years' time.

Architects also build escape routes: What if a certain part of the structure can't be built for whatever reason? Will it even then look finished and ready for use? In Rome, we have, for instance, some structures people think are finished, but the owner/client ran out of money, it was built very smartly, so it is not easy to see.

What we can learn from Building Architecture

The quick introduction to building architecture on this page sets some directions we must follow to create an enterprise architecture with the same function and outcomes for an enterprise structure as a building structure.

Dragon1, an open EA method and SaaS collaboration platform for Enterprise Architecture, promotes getting your requirements right, creating sketches and designs, and visualizing concepts and principles. Working out various scenarios. Calculating and budgeting, and, often, very often, discussing and reviewing the designs with the stakeholders.

Enterprise architects also need to define their architectural style and structure type, like building and landscape architects do. If you are (re)designing or changing a bank, government agency, or school, what architectural style or type of bank, agency, or school are you going to use and design, and what are the major changes the environment can take or incorporate?

Architecture practiced in this way can never go wrong.

Feedback

We would appreciate it if you could help improve Dragon1. Please send your feedback or suggestions to mark.paauwe@dragon1.com. Your feedback or suggestions will then be reviewed by the Change Advisory Board and used to improve this thinking. You will receive a response about how your feedback or suggestions are handled.