Externalization Taxonomy 

From the thesis Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Christina Brown  |  Bachelor of Architecture 2020, Master of Science in Sustainable Design 2020



“ How do you design with externalization in mind?”



Through the analysis of over 30 case studies across different climate types, typologies, and geographical locations, it was found that most new constructions prevailed in the conventional 4 blocks, while successfully externalized designs had spaces that were in the lower 12 quadrants. Based on the research, it is evident that there are distinct differences between the conventional approach and externalized approach. We should shift our way of designing architecture from the conventional to the externalized to design in social and environmental connectivity.

In order to do that, I have developed an externalization taxonomy of 50 strategies to help designers to shift their approach from an internalized perspective to externalized. To download a printable version of the taxonomy, please click here. Once printed, please fold along the dotted lines. 


The taxonomy distinguish specific architectural design elements that externalize various building programming with varying environmental and social impacts. This begins to create a series of design strategies that can then be implemented into architectural design to allow for imbedded externalization. The strategies attribute to various parts of the externalization palette, allowing for a diverse set of strategies that can provide varying amounts of environmental and social connectivity based on the program and context of a project.

To see each card in more detail, feel free to view the Miro board below and zoom into each card. This board will be actively updated as edits, updates, new case study references and more are added to this taxonomy.