The Vitruvian triad of solidity, utility, and beauty (utilitas, firmitas, and venustas) has been a recognized architectural benchmark for centuries. Looking at the big picture, however, it becomes apparent that architecture will always have an ephemeral quality: even if it remains solid and intact for decades, the structure and materiality will eventually change and vanish one day. Throughout the recorded history of architecture, the term ‘temporary architecture’ has long been associated with pavilions and installations. With reference to these two examples, the common criteria that often seemed to be associated with temporary architecture are the tangible aspects of the built environment, possibly due to the traditional understanding that architecture is equivalent to buildings, which is strongly ingrained in our thinking process.

However, in recent years, architectural representations and narratives have evolved and varied in the same way as its practises, designs, and makings have; which in turn provides a platform to reconsider the understanding of temporary architecture. This study explores the dynamics between contemporary representation and mediation of temporary architectures and its contrast, the unconventional methods and examples that are not generally considered architecture. It aims to demonstrate the breadth of interests, the complex nature and choreographies within temporary spaces, and the various ways in which it is used. Therefore, this dissertation considers a variety of interpretations of the word ‘temporary architecture’, derived through a detailed investigation of definitions and contemporary approaches in order to formulate a conceptual framework that explains the multifaceted meanings the term brings.

Divided in sections, the dissertation progresses from a dissection of existing literature, followed by a breakdown of research methodologies. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to get a more accurate depiction. The first research method is a review of existing literature by the researcher that includes a close examination of definitions, interpretations and contemporary approaches in order to create a conceptual framework that helps in reviewing collected examples, while the following research method is the distribution of questionnaire
surveys that allow the research to obtain information from the public. By gathering their opinions and perceptions of temporary architecture, the research intends to identify the current understanding of temporary architecture and to explore its other variations which might be considered unconventional.

To reiterate, the purpose of this study is not to draw any conclusions as to what temporary architecture is supposed to be like. Instead, it is hoped to be used as means to further develop a fluid conversation, which in turn might broaden our current interpretations of temporary architecture, and acknowledge it as an expanding field.