- Title
- Measuring the impact of openness, enclosure, mystery and complexity: a meta-analysis of the results
- Creator
- Dosen, Annemarie S.; Ostwald, Michael J.
- Relation
- 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2015 (ASA). Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment: Proceedings of the 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2015 (Melbourne 2-4 December, 2015) p. 173-182
- Relation
- http://anzasca.net/category/conference-papers/2015-conference-papers/
- Publisher
- University of Melbourne, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
- Resource Type
- conference paper
- Date
- 2015
- Description
- Contemporary design manuals for architects often refer to the psychological benefits of particular spatial and formal configurations, however, the research which they cite as evidence is largely qualitative and only a small number of quantitative studies are ever referenced. The origins of the quantitative research can be traced to the 1970s, where the first of a growing number of environmental and psychological studies suggested that various spatial and visual characteristics of environments can potentially shape or influence psychological wellbeing. Four key factors that have been repeatedly discussed in terms of perceived comfort are prospect or openness, refuge or enclosure, mystery or enticement and complexity. However, many of the studies which architects reference in design manuals are not actually about architecture, and others have strongly conflicting results. In response to this situation, the present paper undertakes a review of twenty-eight published studies testing preference for spaces which exhibit openness, enclosure, mystery and complexity. The results of these studies are then categorised to develop a meta-picture of the evidence. The paper does not test specific results, or interrogate the methods used, rather it holistically identifies evidence-based claims that have been made about these spatial properties, and summarises the complete set of findings.
- Subject
- design assessment; environmental preference; prospect-refuge theory; isovist analysis
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1317329
- Identifier
- uon:23392
- Identifier
- ISBN:9780992383527
- Language
- eng
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