Architecture is always created perceived and experienced in relation to the self. The self has 4 levels which are:
Body/ Gender/ Emotions/ Spirit
The belief that the human being is the most important entity in the universe. The world is perceived according to the values and experiences of the human being.
Anthropocentrism
Human qualities are associated with non-human entities/events such as form/values/emotions.
Anthropomorphism
Study of measurements of the human body.
Anthropometrics
An applied science concerned with the characteristics of people that need to be considered in the design of devices and systems in order that people and things will interact effectively and safely.
Ergonomics
Architecture characterized by aggression or extroversion (e.g. Skyscrapers)
Masculine Architecture
Architecture characterized by introspection (social and introverted)
Feminine Architecture
Architecture characterized by having both masculine and feminine qualities (convertible spaces)
Gay Architecture
Architecture characterized by having neither masculine nor feminine qualities (unidentifiable spaces)
Androgynous Architecture
Study of spatial separation of people.
Proxemics
He described the culturally specific temporal and spatial dimensions that surround people (distance zones).
Dr. Edward T. Hall Jr.
Distance Zone: Intimate (Close Phase)
0-6in (0m - 0.15m) (half tile)
Distance Zone: Intimate (Far Phase)
6in - 1ft 6in (0.15m - 0.45m) (1 and half tiles)
Distance Zone: Personal (Close Phase)
1ft 6in - 2ft 6in (0.45m - 0.76m) (2 and half tiles)
Distance Zone: Personal (Far Phase)
2ft 6in - 4ft (0.76m - 1.22m) (4 tiles)
Distance Zone: Social (Close Phase)
4ft - 7ft (1.22m - 2.13m) (7 tiles)
Distance Zone: Social (Far Phase)
7ft - 12ft (2.13m - 3.65m) (12 tiles)
Distance Zone: Public (Close Phase)
12ft - 25ft (3.65m - 7.62m) (25 tiles)
Distance Zone: Public (Far Phase)
25ft and above (7.62m and above) (25 tiles and above)
Distance Zone: Intimate
0 - 1ft 6in (0mm - 0.45m)
Distance Zone: Personal
1ft 6in - 4ft (0.45m - 1.22m)
Distance Zone: Social
4ft - 12ft (1.22m - 3.65m)
Distance Zone: Public
12ft and above (3.65m and above)
The region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically theirs
Personal space
Spaces that encourage people to gather and communicate
Sociopetal spaces
Spaces that discourages people to gather and communicate (separates people).
Sociofugal spaces
Denotes ownership and/or rights to a place.
Territory
Staking claims (of a property) for control (defense against intrusion) or expression of aesthetics.
Personalization
Architecture which allows personalization (e.g. low-cost housing allowing homeowners to dress up their houses)
Soft Architecture
The ability to control your interactions with others.
Privacy
4 Kinds of Privacy
Solitude/Intimacy/Anonymity/Reserve
Privacy: free from observation by others
Solitude
Privacy: with another person but free from outside world
Intimacy
Privacy: unknown even in a crowd (e.g. choosing a solo table in a library)
Anonymity
Privacy: person employs psychological barriers to control unwanted intrusions (e.g. wearing sunglasses or earphones)
Reserve
The opposite of privacy. Too many people in a space resulting to the feeling of lack of control over the environment. May lead to negative behavior.
Social overcrowding
Proponent of the Hierarchy of Needs theory
Abraham Maslow
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The need for shelter.
Physiological
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The need to be safe from physical harm.
Security
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The need to be part of the society.
Social acceptance/affiliation
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The need to feel good about one’s self.
Self-esteem
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The need to realize one’s full potential or achieve one’s dreams.
Self-actualization
Organization/identificaiton/interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the environment.
Perception
The mental process by which we acquire knowledge.
Cognition
Anything that represents (by association/resemblance/convention) or suggests an idea/visual image/belief/action/material entity.
Symbol
The science of signs and how the mind turns symbols into meanings.
Semiotics
Theory derived from German term for shape or form. This perception theory tries to understand the laws of our ability to acquire and maintain meaningful perceptions in an apparently chaotic world (distinct from what others perceive).
Gestalt Theory of Perception
The conditions in the environment affect the way an object is perceived (e.g. The Falling Water is not as pretty during winter).
Ecological Theory of Perception
Perception theory based on the notion that perception results from acquired but unconscious assumptions about the environment (represented as probabilities of transactions occurring within it). Recognizes the role of experience
Transactional Theory of Perception
Branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of art/beauty/taste with a view to establish the meaning and validity of critical judgments concerning works of art.
Aesthetics
Approach to aesthetics derived from personal beliefs or ideas.
Speculative Aesthetics
Speculative Aesthetics: 2 Approaches
Philosophical/ Scientific
Philosophical Speculative Aesthetics: 4 Approaches
Hermeneutic/ Phenomenological/ Existential/ Political (Marxist)
Philosophical Speculative Aesthetics: Interpretation of the environment as a text (We appreciate things if they portray easily understandable story or literature).
Hermeneutic
Philosophical Speculative Aesthetics: Intuitive insight into relationships of person and environment (We appreciate something just because of our instinct or just because we do).
Phenomenological
Philosophical Speculative Aesthetics: Creative act and creative artifact (we appreciate uniqueness as opposed to mass produced).
Existential
Philosophical Speculative Aesthetics: Representation of class struggle
Political (Marxist)
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: 4 Approaches
Psychoanalytic/ Psychological/ Organismicist/ Formist
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: Creation as chatartic act (chatarsis = outpouring of emotions).
Psychoanalytic
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: 2 Types of Psychological approach
Mechanistic/ Contextual
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: Psychological approach - stimulation thru single sensation
Mechanistic
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: Psychological approach - beauty from everyday/ordinary life/nature
Contextual
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: The fusion of body and soul or shell and core (We appreciate something if we are aware of its deeper meaning).
Organismicist
Scientific Speculative Aesthetics: Expressive value of patterns or forms (We appreciate something if it forms recognizable patterns).
Formist
Scientific approach to aesthetics.
Empirical Aesthetics
Empirical Aesthetics: 4 Approaches
Information-theory/ Semantic/ Semiotic/ Psychobiological
Empirical Aesthetics: Environment as a set of images that act as stimuli (We respond to all the details of the image).
Information-theory Approach
Empirical Aesthetics: Meaning of environmental elements (We appreciate something if we simple know the meaning).
Semantic Approach
Empirical Aesthetics: Cultural learned meanings (meanings are not universal but cultural).
Semiotic Approach
Empirical Aesthetics: Neurophysiological processes of brain.
Psychobiological Approach
Denotes stable combination of activity and place.
Behavior setting
The main component of Behavior Setting (what activity).
Standing Pattern of Behavior (SPB)
Component of Behavior Setting which acts as the physical support (where the activity is conducted).
Milieu
Micro-behaviors
Actones