Perceptual bases of architectural design

Perceptual bases of architectural design

●Architecture statements
Building program
Building type
Site
Architect style
Building technology
Environmental and behavioural studies
Visual ordering technique
Proximity diagramming
Sings & symbolis
Gestalt
Figure ground
Configuration
Similarity
Proximity
Symmetry
Closure  & good continuation
Form reproduction
Vignettes
Architecture types
Patterns
Design objectives
“Good arch are those buildings which  contain communication in themselves and express them gently and elegantly “

Architectural mode of communication
Vision ( one of the clearest from of perception) Light directions, strength and color, temperature, humidity, sound,tuch  (texture )
Selection of a communication image - hierarchical list of the concepts that will form the building
Selection of design techniques to be used
If any architectural form is not thought as a total composition of components, strong contrast can occur that will give total misleading or irritating information
As the building form develops in the design process the architect must evaluate the appropriateness and success of the visual stimulus
The source of architectural statements
Meaning of the building and the forms or images related to these meaning
Relative importance of the meanings to be expressed
A logical order of building construction that will develop these images visually while providing good physical enclosure.
The building program
Room shape and sizes
Who uses the space and for how long
Equipment and environment control
Building type
Schools, houses,hospitals, banks, churches
Each type is symbolic of its function in the society and a traditional place in the context of that society.
The symbolism of a building is carried by images that have acquired meaning over time,and that these images are specific

Site
Site analysis: technical information concerning the site potential for serving the proposed facility, soul bearing capacity,  surface water drainage, access to utilities, vehicular and pedestrian andndccess etc...
The architects style
Style the distinctive qualities of form given a project that allows us to group projects as representatives of an individual’s ( or a grop’s)
Efforts.
Environmental and behaviour studies
Researches on human behaviour and the environment are important sources for architectural statements because it means that architects can predict behaviour on space as it is designed
Building technology
Technology hac changed the basic form of office towers great stadiums ate moved to new configuration on cushions of air; and space are encou
“The recognition of need, an understanding of the range of the technological alternatives, and the appropriate application “
The importance of the visual expression if the selected technology must be considered,  together with the elements if the building program and type the site and the architects style.  All these must feet into an hierarchy of importance. 

Visual ordering technique
Proximity diagramming :is an analysis technique that is useful in generating a preliminary sens of the building potential forms
Proximity Diagrams have 2 hierarchies
Scale of the different spaces of the diagram,with the larger elements having more importance
The location of elements within a sequence of space
Signs and symbols are used in architecture designs to focus the attention of building of space within the building.

Gestalt
Human mind is structured to perceive the environment in a way that organises our visual field into district and related parts. This area that studes this phenomenon is called “ Gestalt psychology, the different pattern organisations we perceive are called” Gestalt”
Designer has 2 opportunities to configure forms:
Selecting parts of the composition the designer wants to be perceived as related, and then in applying the characteristics of various gestalt patterns to the forms to ensure that they will be perceived as a group.
The designer may analyze a developing design to see what gestalt organizations are forming and whether they detract from or enhance the design concepts.
Figure/Ground
Figure are seen as being on ground and are what we organize our view and understanding of the physical environment around.
Center of Gravity
Our understanding of other parts of a form or composition develops from their relationship to the center.
Configuration
The mind simplifies the visual elements in order to understand it.
Similarity
An objects form, color, texture, sense of mass, and cultural significance are attributes that can be use to develop very subtle hierarchies in the relationship between it and other objects
Proximity
This concept allows the designer to relate two dissimilar objects by placing them near each other.
Symmetry
The symmetry produces visual groupings within other groupings to make the experience richer and therefore hold out attention and interest longer. Symmetry also lends importance to the axis that generates it because, as we saw earlier, centers of composition attract attention. 
Closure and Good Continuation
The concept of closure involves the visual competition of incomplete objects
Form Reproduction
The concept contends that if we have seen the complete form of and then we only see part of it we produce the rest of the image from memory
Vignettes
Vignettes are images of spaces that have emotional connotation. They are powerful but they are not exact in the way they are produced
Archetypes
Specific patterns based on careful research into the optimum form for their specific use are called archetypes
Patterns
Structural and mechanical systems follow well-defined patterns, as does the process of constructing a building. Each system has a pattern and range of use that must be matched to the requirements of the function of the building. 
Design Objectives
Maintaining the desired hierarchies between the parts of the building.
Maintain clearly the expression in the design
Developing interest and enjoyment in the design.
To mesh and concerns of hierarchy, clarity, and interest with the requirements of physical enclosure.