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Understanding Extraordinary Architectural Experiences through Content Analysis of Written Narratives
Full text linkThis study a) identifies how people describe, characterize, and communicate in written form Extraordinary Architectural Experiences (EAE), and b) expands the traditional qualitative approach to architectural phenomenology by demonstrating a quantitative method to analyze written narratives. Specifically, this study reports on the content analysis of 718 personal accounts of EAEs. Using a deductive, ‘theory-driven' approach, these narratives were read, coded, and statistically analyzed to identify storyline structure, convincing power, and the relationship between subjective and objective experiential qualities used in the story-telling process. Statistical intercoder agreement tests were conducted to verify the reliability of the interpretations to approach the hard problem of "extraordinary aesthetics” in architecture empirically. The results of this study confirm the aesthetic nature of EAE narratives (and of told experiences) by showing their higher dependence on external objective content (e.g., a building's features and location) rather than its internal subjective counterpart (e.g., emotions and sensations), which makes them more outwardly focused. The strong interrelationships and intercoder agreement between the thematic realms provide a unique aesthetic construct revealing EAE narratives as memorable, embodied, emotional events mapped by the externally focused content of place, social setting, time, and building features. A majority of EAE narratives were found to possess plot-structure along with significant relationships to objective-subjective content that further grounded their storylines. This study concludes that content analysis provides not only a valid method to understand written narratives about extraordinary architectural experiences quantitatively, but also a view as to how to map the unique nature of aesthetic phenomenology empirically
Luminous Color in Architecture: Exploring Methodologies for Design-Relevant Research
Full text linkThis paper describes our process in conducting research toward better understanding of the experience and perception of luminous colors in architectural contexts. Our intention is to contribute to a body of knowledge useful for designers by introducing a designerly way of working into an otherwise academic research approach. Luminous color influences our perception of form, space, and ambiance. The use of such color in architectural design has increased significantly over the past two decades, and with the advent of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), this trend is rapidly accelerating. However, LEDs produce luminous color in a different manner than traditional lighting systems. Identical-appearing colors can have different spectral compositions. Current work in health and perception sciences demonstrates that these different spectra can have distinct physiological and neurological effects. Current studies in different academic research fields into luminous color cannot be translated easily into a format relevant to architectural design. We therefore look to ways of studying the phenomenon using hybrid methods that would be consistent with design disciplines and goals. Efforts include structured experimental studies at a large scale to enable participants to experience different vantage points, peripheral perceptions, and free locomotion. The objective is to listen to the phenomenon and let it guide the research. We are following a process and developing research methods that are at a scale and in contexts appropriate to architectural applications. Although we borrow qualitative and quantitative methods from other disciplines for our individual studies, the overall goal is to remain fluid and open, to go beyond such established methods, structuring the endeavor as much as possible as a design process. Our approach is less structured than laboratory research, but targeted to be more ecologically and architecturally valid
The Labor-saving Kitchen: Sources for Designs of the Architects' Small Home Service Bureau
Full text linkThe history of the kitchen has received much attention from designers and design historians. Since the writings of Catharine Beecher, designers, household engineers, and others have written about the importance of the kitchen as the center of the home. This research traces the impact of the writings of theorists such as Frederick Taylor, Georgie Boynton Child, Helen Binkerd Young, and Christine Frederick on the designs produced by the architects in the first quarter of the 20th century. Frederick's work took the concept of an efficient kitchen to a new level applying movement studies and introducing new ideas to the kitchen layout and arrangement. In a properly laid out and equipped kitchen, steps were saved by placing kitchen cabinets, ovens and stoves, refrigerators and sinks where they were needed in the sequence of food preparation and delivery to dining table as well as clean up after the meal. In her books, she also provided advice on a variety of considerations, such as appliances and accessories, lighting and ventilation; materials, finishes and color; and appliances and equipment. In 1919 a group of architects dedicated to improving the housing stock in the United States through good design banded together to form the Architects' Small House Service Bureau (ASHSB). Their first plan book, How to Plan Finance and Build your Home published in 1921, also encouraged labor-saving kitchen design and provided advice on kitchen design. The research reported here assesses how the influence of Frederick and Boyton's advice as reflected in the work of and interpreted by Helen Binkerd Young is demonstrated in the kitchen designs of the ASHSB's first plan book. A plan content analysis instrument, developed using Frederick's writings and edited to include other variables from Young and Child, is used to analyze the 99 kitchens and two essays in the ASHSB's plan book. The plans and accompanying comments evidence enthusiasm for the concept of scientific management and other labor- and energy-saving concepts promoted by Frederick. Many of her specific suggestions are incorporated in their kitchen designs, but there is limited evidence that ASHSB designs are only influenced by Frederick but rather include other popular labor-saving concepts of the early 20th century
Material and Social Construction: A Framework for the Adaptation of Buildings
Full text linkThis article is a formulation of a framework for understanding the nature of change, particularly climate change, as it applies to the scale of a building. Through an exploration of various scientific and social scientific literutre, the article positions the concept of adaptation as the appropriate mode for understanding and managing change. Through the classification of a duality of material and social construction in the ontological composition of a building, various lines of thought relating to adaptive capacity and adaptive cycling within systems theory are appropriated within an integrated framework for adaptation. Specifically, it is theorized that as buildings as objects are developing greater capacities for intergrated operations and management through artificial intelligence, they will possess an ex ante capacity to autonomously adapt in dynamic relation to and with the ex post adaptation of owners and operators. It is argued that this top-down and bottom-up confluence of multi-scalar dynamic change is consistent with the prevailing theory of Panarchy applied in social-ecological systems theory. The article concludes with normative perspectives on the limitations of systems theory in architecture, future directions for research and an alternative positioning of professional practices
The Courtyard Inside and Out: a Brief History of an Architectural Ambiguity
Full text linkObserving several advantages of architecture that incorporates an internal courtyard, this paper traces the history of the motif through the evidence of building archetypes and lexical and literary records. Despite the literal centrality of courtyards to so many traditions of urban construction, the motif proves quite weak in contemporary architecture. The article gives several reasons for this decline in popularity and proposes that the very words used to describe courtyards are partly to blame for the poor traction of this adorable feature. In the process of describing the many historical responses to courtyards, the article conducts a phenomenology of this remarkable 'void' in the middle of a building that has so much social presence
Graphic Ecologies
Full text linkThis essay describes strategic approaches to graphic representation associated with critical environmental engagement and that build from the idea of works of architecture as stitches in the ecological fabric of the city. It focuses on the building up of partial or fragmented graphics in order to describe inclusive, open-ended possibilities for making architecture that marry rich experience and responsive performance. An aphoristic approach to crafting drawings involves complex layering, conscious absence and the embracing of tension. A self-critical attitude toward the generation of imagery characterized by the notion of ‘loose precision' may lead to more transformative and environmentally responsive architectures
Sustainability and the Architectural History
Full text linkIn this paper, I will address the challenges of incorporating the discourse of Sustainability into the architectural history curriculum and how Sustainability in the survey can be related to the Sustainability education the design studio. I argue that the inclusion of Sustainability into the architectural survey will necessitate the production of revisionist architectural histories that are written through an environmental paradigm and are able to establish a dialogue with Sustainability education in the design studio. These revisionist histories will occupy the disciplinary territory that is produced at the intersection of architectural and environmental historie
Environmental Discourses and Rhetoric in the Conceptual Space of Architectural Education
Full text linkThis paper aims to investigate the current state and potential opportunity of strategic environmental discourses and rhetoric in architectural education. Because there is limited research completed on this specific focus, a grounded theory approach was used. In-depth interviews were held with twelve purposefully selected participants, each of whom are prevalently perceived as leaders in incorporating sustainability topics into architectural education. Through a cyclical coding process, larger themes about integrating environmental topics in formal architectural education emerged, with the importance of discourse and rhetoric as one of the primary sub-themes. Different discourses, emphasis on specific terminology, and the implications of each in the conceptual space of architectural educational are explored in the context of both program- and university-level structures. Breaking down the current environmental discourses in these specific contexts offers insight into opportunities to streamline the inclusion of sustainability themes in architectural education. This study concludes with possible avenues for further research regarding environmental discourse and rhetoric in architectural education, and suggestions for application in programs
Materials Testing - Digital Ecology
Full text linkAccess to credible building product performance information throughout the design and construction process is critical to enable project development, vet product selections, ensure as-built quality, and successfully complete construction. This is common knowledge and part of common practice for nearly all parties involved in design and construction. The sources of such information can range from vernacular to formal – from common practice to special reference. The focus of this paper is one of the more formal or specialized information sources, performance testing, as well as how such performance testing information can be better used. This paper's goals are to familiarize the reader with performance testing and to depict a new kind of valuable informational tool (digital ecology). Reference to pertinent nomenclature, description of a real world example, and detailed description of such an informational tool's values will be provided.The major content of this paper was developed during project-based work and firm-funded internal research at point b design, ltd. over approximately the previous 4 years. The phrase ‘digital ecology' as herein used is a new concept proposed by the author. The analysis contained in this paper could be applied to the field of operations and maintenance as it is herein applied to design and construction; however, operations and maintenance is beyond the scope of this paper and may be addressed in future papers. It is my hope that this paper will contribute to tangible and real improvements of the built environment via continued, positive development within academic and professional practice
Residential Satisfaction in the Informal Neighborhoods of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Full text linkResidential satisfaction is a very important factor in determining the quality of life, housing improvement proposals, and adequate housing policies. This paper reports on the findings of a study in four informal neighborhoods or "ger districts” of Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. Mongolia has been facing an onslaught of rural migration to the urban areas because of two reasons. First, rural nomads have lost their livestock due to recent harsh climate conditions, and second because of the transition from communism to a democratic market economy, based on the exploitation of Mongolia's rich mineral resources. In the cities, migrants have invaded land and erected rural nomadic "ger” (felt tents or yurts). The traditional ger (as they are called in the Mongolian language) are sustainable structures well adapted for a nomadic society. However, when they are located in high-density, unplanned shantytowns, they create many issues. The country's capital, Ulaanbaatar, is the coldest capital in the world; ger' household use coal for heating which causes dense air pollution, especially in the winter. These informal urban areas lack sanitation, adequate vehicular access and other services. Eventually residents build small permanent houses, but they still lack for basic services. This paper presents the findings of more than one hundred household surveys related to housing conditions in three informal ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. The surveys were held in the summer of 2011. This paper discusses some of the characteristics of the settlements as well as the residential satisfaction of its inhabitants