Abstract
To explore the relation of physical features of man-made environment and people's aesthetic response, this research is to carry out the empirical research of formal aesthetics and test the possible differences among college students who major in the design and non-design. We used various photographs of architectural space as the tool of investigation to 1,167 college students. During the process of developing research instrument, we first used multi-cross comparison, and gradually narrow down the quantity of pictures used for the investigation, then conducting formal investigation without going through the "pilot test" process. After the field investigation, we further reduced the quantity of factors and questionnaires according to the statistical analysis of data gathered through the investigation. Then the methods of Delphi technique and the focus group are used to interpret the various factors and physical features, and naming all the factors accordingly before the final differentiation analysis. Two major conclusions are drawn from this study. First of all, a built space with features of "form of modern technology and materials, showing the flowing curve of infinite extension and tension" is more likely to create aesthetic response. Contrarily, "exaggerated form and presentation, excessive use of the structure lead to unexpected changes in sense, and too monotonous segmentation and texture with the solemn tones of color” would hardly give rise to the aesthetic response. Secondly, at the aesthetic evaluation of the 8 factors, different gender and age are significantly diverse in 3 and 4 factors respectively, while students with design and non-design major have significant differences in 5 factors. The conclusion responds studies made abroad in this regard. This study concludes with follow-up proposals for research and teaching of design.
Keywords
formal aesthetics, aesthetic evaluation, aesthetic factors, aesthetic response
Citation
Liu, Y. (2012) The Aesthetic Evaluation of Architectural Space, in Israsena, P., Tangsantikul, J. and Durling, D. (eds.), Research: Uncertainty Contradiction Value - DRS International Conference 2012, 1-4 July, Bangkok, Thailand. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2012/researchpapers/76
The Aesthetic Evaluation of Architectural Space
To explore the relation of physical features of man-made environment and people's aesthetic response, this research is to carry out the empirical research of formal aesthetics and test the possible differences among college students who major in the design and non-design. We used various photographs of architectural space as the tool of investigation to 1,167 college students. During the process of developing research instrument, we first used multi-cross comparison, and gradually narrow down the quantity of pictures used for the investigation, then conducting formal investigation without going through the "pilot test" process. After the field investigation, we further reduced the quantity of factors and questionnaires according to the statistical analysis of data gathered through the investigation. Then the methods of Delphi technique and the focus group are used to interpret the various factors and physical features, and naming all the factors accordingly before the final differentiation analysis. Two major conclusions are drawn from this study. First of all, a built space with features of "form of modern technology and materials, showing the flowing curve of infinite extension and tension" is more likely to create aesthetic response. Contrarily, "exaggerated form and presentation, excessive use of the structure lead to unexpected changes in sense, and too monotonous segmentation and texture with the solemn tones of color” would hardly give rise to the aesthetic response. Secondly, at the aesthetic evaluation of the 8 factors, different gender and age are significantly diverse in 3 and 4 factors respectively, while students with design and non-design major have significant differences in 5 factors. The conclusion responds studies made abroad in this regard. This study concludes with follow-up proposals for research and teaching of design.