Perceiving Architecture: An Experiential Design Approach

Perception of the physical environment is largely dependent on a range of criteria which are not always readily identifiable. Such a difficulty to identify how a person perceives an environment creates a situation in which architects and designers can easily neglect this idea of the individual user...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Verbanic, Ashley
Format: Others
Published: Scholar Commons 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1797
https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2796&context=etd
Description
Summary:Perception of the physical environment is largely dependent on a range of criteria which are not always readily identifiable. Such a difficulty to identify how a person perceives an environment creates a situation in which architects and designers can easily neglect this idea of the individual user and their experience. Through the design of a preschool, this thesis focuses largely on understanding how children and other users perceive and interact with their environments. The design process employed synthesizes user based research and analysis of environmental cues such as light, sound, and smells and their effect on how we interpret a setting. Investigations into learning environments, educational theories, and sensorial design strategies become tools from which to explore a design methodology. The project itself seeks to understand a process necessary for a meaningful, humanistic design approach for an architecture that benefits and enriches the everyday lives of individuals.