human studies in architecture

1. Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Department of Architectural Engineering
ARC 323 : Human Studies in
Architecture
Fall 2018
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Introduction

2. “There is no doubt whatever about the
influence of architecture and structure
upon human character and action.
We make our buildings and afterwards
they make us.
They regulate the course of our lives.”
Winston Churchill,
addressing the English Architectural Association, 1924

3. Catalog Course Description
(original)
• The course looks at architecture within the
framework of human sciences. The history of
human sciences in architecture, Human
theories and society formation, Environment
relationship, Perception, behavior and culture,
Behavior and the built environment, Human
needs in relation to social concepts contexts,
Humanities in contemporary architecture,
Sampling, data gathering and social research
tools, Applied behavioral research.

4. Human Sciences
Architecture
PresentHistory of human sciences in
architecture
Past

5. Human
Experience
Human
Environment
Built
Environment
Natural
Environment
Virtual
Environment
Environment Relationship

6. Question
• The Human Experience is influenced
by the following environments:
1-
2-
3-
4-

7. Behavior
Perception
Built
Environment
Culture
Social
Contexts

8. Catalog Course Description
(Inductive)
• Part 1: Humanities
– Architecture within the framework of human sciences
– The history of human sciences in architecture
– Human theories and society formation
– Humanities in contemporary architecture
• Part 2: Behavior
– Perception
– Behavior and culture
– Behavior and the built environment
• Environment relationship
– Human needs in relation to social contexts
• Part 3: Research
– Sampling
– Data gathering and social research tools
– Applied behavioral research

9. Catalog Course Description
(Deductive)
• Part 3: Research
– Applied behavioral research
– Data gathering and social research tools
– Sampling
• Part 2: Behavior
– Human needs in relation to social contexts
– Behavior and the built environment
• Environment relationship
– Behavior and culture
– Perception
• Part 1: Humanities
– Architecture within the framework of human sciences
• The history of human sciences in architecture
– Human theories and society formation
– Humanities in contemporary architecture

10. Research
HumanitiesBehavior
Applied behavioral research
Data gathering and social
research tools
Sampling
Human needs in relation
to social contexts
Behavior and the built
environment
Behavior and culture
Perception
Architecture within the
framework of human
sciences
Human theories and
society formation
Environment
relationship
Humanities in contemporary
architecture

11. Overall aims of the course
• The role of humanities in Architecture and
Planning.
• The mutual effects between human behavior
and built environment which in turn have an
impact on Architectural and Urban Design.
• The student's perception of both indoor and
outdoor spaces depending on the behavioral
and psychological factors, and hence
supporting decision-making process.

12. Humanities

13. Humanities
• Humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human
society and culture.
– Anthropology
– Sociology
– Psychology
– Archaeology
– History
– Linguistics and languages
– Law and politics
– Literature
– Philosophy
– Religion
– Performing arts
– Visual arts
– …

14. Cities like Vancouver, whose design and building policies accommodate nearby natural greenery,
are often surveyed as popular places to live. (Credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

15. Researchers have begun monitoring how urban structures, like skyscrapers, physiologically affect
citizens, their mental states, and moods. (Credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

16. The design of the Pruitt-Igoe housing complexes in St Louis was criticised for alienating
communities and stoking racial segregation. (Credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

17. Urban metropolises, like Tokyo, juggle layout design, access to greenery, and visual appeal - all
of which have psychological effects on residents. (Credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

18. 3.1. Intended Learning Outcomes
(ILOs)
• A03. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of the principles and theories of architectural
design and planning, as process and product.
• A09. Demonstrate understanding and
appreciation to the social, environmental, ethical
and economic considerations and human factors
affecting the exercise of the architectural
decisions.
• A10. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of design problems, list clients’ needs &
requirements and gather relevant information
• A14. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of contemporary engineering topics

19. 3.1. Intended Learning Outcomes
(ILOs) cont.
• B07. Incorporate different dimensions of economy, society,
environment, technology applicability, safety, site
constraints, urban context and risk management in design
• B12 Integrate community design parameters into design
projects.
• B13. Appraise the spatial, aesthetic, technical and social
qualities of a design within the scope and scale of a wider
environment.
• B15. Analyze the range of patterns and traditions that have
shaped and sustained cultures and the way that they can
inform design process.
• D08. Search for information and adopt life-long self-
learning
• D11. Refer to relevant literatures.

20. 3.2. Course Detailed ILOs:
a- Knowledge and understanding: By the end of the course
successfully the student should be able to:
a1. Differentiate between Human Sciences and Natural Sciences.
a2. Define Environmental Psychology as a relevant discipline.
a3. List the physical common traits in human perception.
a4. Outline the common psychological structures and responses.
a5. Explain individual differences and preferences.
a6. State the difference between the concepts of space and place.
a7. List people’s psychological needs in open spaces.
a8. Define space ideality and the narrative concept.

21. 3.2. Course Detailed ILOs: cont.
b- Intellectual skills: By the end of this course the student should
be able to:
b1. Relate the discussed concepts with other relevant
concepts.
b2. Apply concepts on existing projects.
c- Professional and practical skills: Not Applicable
d- General and transferable skills: By the end of this course the
student should be able to:
d1. Search for data effectively

22. 8. Weighting of assessments
– Final exam: 40%
– Semester work:
• Reports 10%
• Mid term exam 20%
• Assignments/submissions 40%
• Participation 10%

23. 9. List of references:
– Textbook:
• Applications of Environment-Behavior Research: Case Studies and Analysis
(Environment and Behavior), Cambridge University Press 1993.
– Handouts:
• Chermayeff, Serge. (1965), Community and Privacy. Anchor Books, USA.
• Sanoff, Henry. (1991) Visual Research Methods in Design, Van Nostrand
Reinhold, USA.
• Smith, Peter. (1979). Architecture and the Human Dimension, The Pitman
Press, UK.
– Recommended books:
• Rapoport, Amos. (1977). Human Aspects of Urban Form, Pergamon Press,
USA.
• Hillier, Bill. (1988). The Social Logic of Space. Cambridge University Press,
UK.

24. End

25. The Seattle Public Library has won architecture awards, but some visitors have said it is
confusing, proving interiors should facilitate a sense of direction. (Credit: Alamy)

26. Ideas
Research Paper (Mini Paper)
• The behavioral and psychological factors of
different building types.
• Buildings types:

27. Ideas
• Social Networks
• Virtual Society
• Research:
– Observations
– Interviews
– Questionnaire
– Photography by mobile phones
• Use campus as a case study
• Perception of architectural language in campus –
students vs. faculty members

28. Ideas
Report 1
• The 4 Environments’ Report
• 4 groups
1. Natural
2. Human
3. Built
4. Virtual

29. Ideas
Report 2
• Humanities in Contemporary Architecture
– Select a recent example
– Illustrate how humanities are affecting its design?

30. Ideas
Assignment
• Perception of both indoor and outdoor
spaces depending on the behavioral and
psychological factors.
– behavioral factors?
– psychological factors?
• University Campus

31. 3.1. Intended Learning Outcomes
(ILOs)
• A03. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and theories of
architectural design and planning, as process and product.
• a1. Differentiate between Human Sciences and Natural Sciences.
• A09. Demonstrate understanding and appreciation to the social, environmental,
ethical and economic considerations and human factors affecting the exercise of
the architectural decisions.
– a1. Differentiate between Human Sciences and Natural Sciences.
– a3. List the physical common traits in human perception.
• A10. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of design problems, list clients’
needs & requirements and gather relevant information
– a2. Define Environmental Psychology as a relevant discipline.
– a4. Outline the common psychological structures and responses.
• A14. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary engineering
topics
– a4. Outline the common psychological structures and responses.

32. 3.1. Intended Learning Outcomes
(ILOs) cont.
• B07. Incorporate different dimensions of economy, society, environment, technology
applicability, safety, site constraints, urban context and risk management in design
– a5. Explain individual differences and preferences.
– b1. Relate the discussed concepts with other relevant concepts.
• B12 Integrate community design parameters into design projects.
– a5. Explain individual differences and preferences.
– a8. Define space ideality and the narrative concept.
– b1. Relate the discussed concepts with other relevant concepts.
• B13. Appraise the spatial, aesthetic, technical and social qualities of a design within the
scope and scale of a wider environment.
– a6. State the difference between the concepts of space and place.
– a8. Define space ideality and the narrative concept.
– b1. Relate the discussed concepts with other relevant concepts.
– b2. Apply concepts on existing projects.
• B15. Analyze the range of patterns and traditions that have shaped and sustained cultures
and the way that they can inform design process.
– a6. State the difference between the concepts of space and place.
– a8. Define space ideality and the narrative concept.
– a7. List people’s psychological needs in open spaces.
• D08. Search for information and adopt life-long self-learning
– d1. Search for data effectively
• D11. Refer to relevant literatures.
– d1. Search for data effectively

33. 4. Course ILOs versus Program ILOs relation

34. 5. Contents:

35. 6. learning/teaching methods

36. 7. ILOs Teaching & Assessment
Method

37. Questions

38. Question
• The Human Experience is influenced
by the following environments:
1-
2-
3-
4-