Journal of Iranian Architecture & Urbanism(JIAU)

Assessing the relationship between neighborhood types and social interaction patterns in villa complexes and mid-rise apartment; Case study: Sib apartment complex and Saheli villas, Noor city

Seyed Mohsen Moosavi; Rouhollah Rahimi; Sogand Vosooghi

Volume 14, Issue 1 , August 2023, , Pages 103-116

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2023.298884.1754

Abstract

Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: After the industrial revolution, many changes have taken place in the housing system. Residential neighborhoods have become largely obsolete ... Read More Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: After the industrial revolution, many changes have taken place in the housing system. Residential neighborhoods have become largely obsolete and have been replaced by residential complexes. What is considered in the creation of residential complexes in their design process; often there are big issues such as economic conditions, land value and etc. Thus, such foreign forces affect housing policies and ultimately the quality of human life. Since the house is one of the most important and main places of human presence, it has the most duty in provide the individual and social needs of humans. This study intends to investigate the differences of social interactions in two types of residential complexes, mid-rise apartment and villa complexes, based on Jan Gehl‘s theory. According to this theory, activities that can be performed among residents of residential complexes lead to the creation of social interactions among them. These activities can be categorized into three categories: necessary activities, optional activities, and social activities. Necessary activities which are some kind of activities that residents definitely do, such as entering and leaving the complex. Optional activities are activities that take place if suitable conditions and personal preferences exist, such as children playing or exercising in public spaces of residential complexes. Finally, social activities are activities that depend more than anything else on the presence of other residents in public spaces. Jan Gehl also emphasizes the design process should be: “First life, then spaces, then buildings - the other way around never works.” Therefore, this research discovers the level of social interactions resulting from these activities by examining the possibility of the occurrence of three categories of activities in two types of residential complexes.Methods: Considering the research objective, the desired studies and investigations focus on identifying the factors and activities that lead to social interactions. In this regard, in the first step, through library studies and examining previous research, the activities that lead to the formation of social interaction among individuals were extracted. Then, to investigate the occurrence of these activities with residents of the two residential complexes of “Sib” and “Saheli”, interviews were conducted. To this end, interviews were conducted with 14 residents of the complex, 57% of whom were male and 43% were female. In the next step, the information obtained from the interviews was interpreted using content analysis. In addition to answering the interview questions, the interviewees also expressed their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with interacting with some neighbors. For analysis, the dialogues were carefully examined, and significant points were discovered. Then, the significant points were categorized, and their commonalities were discovered. Findings: The results indicate that the occurrence of social interactions resulting from necessary activities in middle-class apartments is significantly higher than in villa complexes. The reason for this is the greater dependence of residential units on each other. This dependence is due to common spaces and dealing with common affairs and financial issues. It is worth mentioning that the presence of a guard in villa complexes is one influential factor in increasing social interactions. Regarding optional activities, it can be stated that familiarity and acquaintance among individuals in middle-class apartments occur more frequently, which is due to more face-to-face encounters between residents. This is while villa complexes, with wider central spaces and fewer design constraints compared to apartments, can create a more suitable spatial capacity for social interactions. Social activities also occur to a lesser extent in both types of complexes. Finally, it can be said that the most fundamental difference in creating social interactions in the two types of residential complexes, middle-class apartments and villa complexes, is related to necessary activities. Considering these differences, it is possible to take steps towards optimal design and increasing desirable social interactions in residential complexes. Conclusion: The The results show that the main difference between the two types of residential complexes is due to the necessary activities and its incidence rate in mid-rise apartment is higher than villa complexes. However, villa complexes with a wider middle space and less limitations in its design can create a suitable environment to increase social interactions. The results of study can lead designers and planners to eliminate existing deficiencies and users to choose housing tailored to their social needs.

Developing a model for spatial indicators of experimental learning and its application in designing learning environments

Nasrin Karimi; Morteza Khosronia; Sahel Dezhpasand

Volume 12, Issue 1 , June 2021, , Pages 111-125

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2021.219630.1359

Abstract

Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: The experience of designing educational spaces, or more generally, learning environments, has always been challenging for architects; since ... Read More Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: The experience of designing educational spaces, or more generally, learning environments, has always been challenging for architects; since this type of design has had some different ways of thinking in the field of education and philosophy of education. Studies show that designing such spaces can promote or hinder learning. Accordingly, one of the most fun-damental issues of modern education is clarifying the role of education through the scientific cogni-tion of the individuals, which relies on children’s psychology. The study of the historical evolution of teaching and learning theories shows that psychologists have changed their view of observing the behavioral reactions from paying attention to environmental stimuli (similar to some animals) in the form of a behaviorist approach to paying attention and contemplating in mental learning processes in the form of the cognitive approach. They try to produce personal knowledge in the real envi-ronment and in the form of a constructivist approach. In this article, one of the latest and more popular learning theories among researchers is the theory of experiential learning that has been se-lected to provide optimal and appropriate design solutions. The theory of experiential learning is consistent with the new approach to learning, emphasizing the important and active role of the learner in teaching. It shows the specific importance of practical work and experience. In this new view, learning in its most effective form is achieved through objective experience. In Iran, too, most individuals and children spend a significant amount of their lives in educational places; how-ever, the lack of efficient educational environments that can create a good context for achieving the right educational goals is very evident. Searching for architectural design solutions and creating a suitable space for radical and successful educational theories is one of the significant issues in this field. Among the studies conducted in this regard, some studies have been conducted in the field of experiential learning and its impact on the learners. There are other studies that have investigated the quality of architectural educational environments with an emphasis on specific factors. Still, neither of them deals with the relationship between experiential learning and the qualitative compo-nents of architecture. This article aims to achieve a model of spatial indicators affecting experiential learning that could act as a conceptual framework in planning and designing learning spaces for the builders. The main question of the research is how the educational space provides the necessary opportunities for the most effective form of learning achieved through objective experience. Methods: In this article, the spatial indicators of experiential learning have been developed and re-fined, and an appropriate model is proposed using the “Delphi” method. This method is a struc-tured process for collecting and classifying the knowledge available to a group of experts conduct-ed through interviews and distribution of questionnaires among individuals and by the control of feedback on the answers and the comments received. Also, in this study, in order to determine the importance and weighting of the data obtained from the Delphi method, the (Shannon entropy) technique has been used, which is one of the multi-criteria decision-making methods, and its pur-pose is to weigh and prioritize criteria and indicators. This method, which is also used in content analysis, is the development of a mathematical formula to be used in data analysis and has more credibility and power to analyze and prioritize indicators in comparison to the traditional method of frequency and average. Findings: Based on the findings of Shannon algorithm, the indicators of “nature and places of ex-perience and touch of water, soil, plant” and “group learning spaces” and then the index of “school design pattern as a house” have the greatest impact on experiential learning. Accordingly, the cate-gory of indicator of “naturalism and self-discovery” has the greatest impact on experiential learn-ing, followed by the indicator of “identity”. The indicators of “diversity and flexibility”, “social-ism” and “collectivism” are next in this category, respectively, with a slight difference in terms of the average weight of the category. Finally, the model of the spatial indicators of experiential learn-ing with 23 indicators in 5 thematic categories is explained in Figure 3. In these indices, the order of the indicators in each category is significant and classified based on their importance. The priority of each category is also seen in the extent of its impact on experiential learning. Conclusion: Children’s environment can act as a deterrent or facilitator of their learning, develop-ment, and upbringing. Creating a suitable environment can pave the way for children’s effective learning and increase their desire to be in the environment. According to the research literature, ex-periential learning theory is one of the most successful and latest theories of learning among re-searchers and is effective in the academic achievement and creativity of learners. Data collection and analysis by Delphi research method showed that the index of “naturalism and self-exploration” has the greatest impact on the promotion of experiential learning in learning spaces, followed by the index of “identity”, “diversity and flexibility”, “socialism” and “collectivism”. These five catego-ries of indicators are presented in the proposed model as spatial indicators effective in promoting experiential learning in order of priority. In line with the practical components of this model in de-signing learning environments and in response to the research question on the quiddity and the way of space architecture for the realization of experiential learning, it can be noted that among the sin-gle indicators, two indicators had been the most effective. These indicators were “nature and the places of experiencing and touching water, soil, plants “, and “group learning spaces”. After that, the index of” school design pattern as a house “had the greatest impact on experiential learning. In addition, other architectural solutions, in order of the indicator weight, include spaces and opportu-nities for practical and experimental work, the flexibility of space and furniture, and the ability of children to create their own learning environments, the use of indigenous patterns and local and familiar forms, less crowded classrooms, proximity to important urban centers, and community-based learning.

Morphological Analysis of Modern Residential Architecture in Turkey and Iran (Case Study: Chankaya Palace and Sa'ad Abad Palace)

Mohammadhamed Mousavi; Khosrow Afzalian

Volume 10, Issue 1 , May 2019, , Pages 113-126

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2019.97167

Abstract

In the face of the arrival of modernism in the Middle East, the first achievement of the Republic of Turkey led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was disconnection from the visual symbolic ... Read More

Assessment and Analysis of the Thermal Comfort Conditions in Open Spaces of Residential Neighborhoods Using Thermal Indicators (Case Study: Neighborhoods of Isfahan City)

Fatemeh Alsadat Majidi; Shahin Heidari; Mahmoud Ghalehnoee; Maryam Ghasemi Cichani

Volume 10, Issue 2 , February 2020, , Pages 113-126

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2020.103467

Abstract

It is a complex and comprehensive topic to reach comfort conditions, and all possible factors must be kept at an optimum level to achieve it. Comfort in urban open spaces is one of ... Read More It is a complex and comprehensive topic to reach comfort conditions, and all possible factors must be kept at an optimum level to achieve it. Comfort in urban open spaces is one of the main bases of the use of these areas by citizens and creating a suitable environment for them through protecting against inappropriate climatic conditions seems essential. Thermal comfort is the comfort desired in this study. Thermal comfort is one of the essential factors that should be considered in the process of urban open space design.Urban open spaces should have comfort conditions including thermal comfort to improve quality otherwise they will turn into dead spaces. Accordingly, in line with creating the desired space, one of the most significant aspects is designing open spaces in cities and residential neighborhoods to provide citizens with comfort, and also paying attention to the quality of these spaces. The quality of the urban open spaces use depends on multiple factors that among these factors thermal comfort is particularly important among them. A public space that cannot provide comfort for users would be used less and even avoided. Therefore, according to the importance of providing thermal comfort in open spaces of urban and neighborhood, the purpose of this study is to analyze the thermal comfort conditions of residential open spaces in Isfahan by using three standard effective thermal temperature indicators, physiological equivalent temperature, predicted mean vote of winter and summer seasons, and unfold their performance and thermal behavior. In this paper, four neighborhoods of Ali Gholi Agha, Jolfa, Mardavij, and Dashtestan in Isfahan have been studied and analyzed. The research method used in this article is case study in which field surveys and evaluation of environmental and personal variables of four selected neighborhoods have been done. In this research, the variables were obtained using measurement, computing, and questionnaires. The sample size also included residents and users of public open spaces in selected neighborhoods that one hundred questionnaires used to survey 100 individuals in each field based on the Nichol method. Therefore, in this study, eighty hundred residents and users of neighborhoods were selected as sample size. Eight hundred questionnaires were randomly filled out in four neighborhoods of Ali Gholi Agha, Jolfa, Mardavij, and Dashtestan located in Isfahan city in two hot and cold seasons. In this regard, the respondents were 52.37% male and 47.63% female, and their average age was 33.5 years. Also, in this study, the RayMan model version 1.2 was used as computational software to calculate the indices. This software uses climate data, personal information, activity, clothing, and information like latitude and longitude, height above sea level, cloudiness level, etc. to calculate selected attributes, and then the results are compared with the existing standards. Then, to validate the data and compare the thermal indices with the results of field surveys, neutral temperature and average thermal sensation of users are also obtained. Finally, the validation results of standard effective temperature indicators, physiological equivalent temperature, and predicted mean vote of open space in Isfahan neighborhoods showed that field perceptions differ from the results of the index calculation in some cases, and it does not match with the real situation. In this way, RayMan's computational program, without considering factors such as thermal sensation and psychological factors such as behavioral adjustment, expectations, thermal experiences, duration of presence, mental perception and so on, can be one of the reasons for the discrepancies of the indices computation results with field observations. The results also showed that the three indices of standard effective temperature, physiological equivalent temperature, and predicted mean vote were independent of each other; the behavioral independence of their data is also evident in the thermal condition results of the selected neighborhoods. Totally, according to the analysis of outdoor thermal comfort conditions of residential neighborhoods using thermal indicators, it was found that the thermal comfort status of the studied neighborhoods open spaces was not very favorable in both hot and cold seasons; but by validating and comparing them with the results of field studies, their conditions changed, and all the neighborhoods except Mardavij are in the comfort zone in the warm season. Finally, the thermal comfort conditions of the selected neighborhoods based on the above indices were presented in two hot and cold seasons, and validity indicators were introduced to evaluate thermal comfort in Isfahan open spaces.

سامانه‌های ارزیابی بی‌شماری امروزه پایداری و میزان همسازی ساختمان‌ها با شرایط محیطی را مورد سنجش ... Read More سامانه‌های ارزیابی بی‌شماری امروزه پایداری و میزان همسازی ساختمان‌ها با شرایط محیطی را مورد سنجش قرار می‌دهند. این سنجش تنها از طریق شناخت دقیق زمینه و خصوصیات منطقه‌ای ممکن است. عدم شناخت و درک صحیح شرایط منطقه‌ای، نه‌تنها فرآیند ارزیابی را با اختلال مواجه می‌کند، که حتی به دریافت پاسخ‌های غلط از آن نیز منجر خواهد گردید. هدف این پژوهش بررسی نقش شرایط منطقه‌ای و میزان تأثیرگذاری آن، در فرآیند تدوین، اولویت‌گذاریو وزن‌دهی معیارهای ارزیابی سامانه‌هاست و می‌کوشد تا ضمن برشمردن معایب استفاده از سامانه ملی LEEDدر دیگر نقاط جهان، راهکارهای تعمیم‌بخشی آن را در مقایسه با سامانه BREEAMکه نسبت به لحاظ‌نمودن اولویت‌های منطقه‌ای رویکرد منطقی‌تری پیش‌گرفته است و همچنین سامانه SBToolکه در واقع روش تدوین نسخه‌هایی متفاوت و متعلق به مناطق متعدد را باز می‌نمایاند، مقایسه و تحلیل نماید. این بررسی در دو بخش صورت می‌گیرد؛ بخش اول متکی بر مباحث فوق، ضرورت بهره‌گیری از سیستم‌ وزن‌دهی، جهت اولویت‌گذاری معیارها را مورد تأکید قرار می‌دهد. و در بخش دوم ضمن انتخاب 6 سامانه برگرفته از BREEAMو LEEDکه دارای ساختار مشابه با آن می‌باشند، میزان رابطه و پیوند معیارها با شاخص‌های منطقه‌ای با استفاده از تحلیل همبستگی آماری و رگرسیون خطی مورد بررسی قرار می‌گیرد. وجود رابطه‌ای معنادار و پیوند مستحکم میان ضرایب تخصیصی سرفصل‌ها با متغیرهای زمینه، نقش و تأثیر عوامل منطقه‌ای را در فرآیند توزین معیارها نشان می‌دهد. در اکثر سامانه‌ها ضرایب سرفصل‌های مرتبط با منابع چون آب، انرژی و ساخت‌گاه (سایت) برمبنای شاخص‌های منطقه‌ای تخصیص یافته است. حتی در خصوص شاخص‌های دیگر اعم از سلامتی و رفاه، پسماند و نیز تأثیرات منطقه‌ای مشهود است، امّا به ‌سبب وجود چندین شاخص هم‌ارز، در اولویت‌های بعدی وزن‌دهی قرار گرفته‌اند. متکی بر یافته‌های پژوهش، در سامانه‌های بررسی ‌شده، سرفصل آب بر مبنای شاخص میزان بارش و تنش آبی کشور دارنده سامانه، انرژی مبتنی بر شاخص میزان مصرف انرژی و ساخت‌گاه متأثر از شاخص تراکم جمعیت منطقه‌ای، وزن‌دهی شده است.

Change Management of School Spaces for Third-graders Based on Evaluation and Analysis of Student Needs Aimed at Improvement of Productivity

Vahid Vaziri; Sadaf Keramati

Volume 9, Issue 1 , September 2018, , Pages 107-120

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2018.68583

Abstract

User-oriented change management in educational spaces will provide an opportunity to maintain productivity at an acceptable level through minimal time and capital. The current study ... Read More

Introduction and Statement of the problem: Having a space for keeping humans’ soul-less bodies in towns creates spaces called cemeteries that was respected in the past and existed ... Read More Introduction and Statement of the problem: Having a space for keeping humans’ soul-less bodies in towns creates spaces called cemeteries that was respected in the past and existed in the main structure of the city because the connection between the world of the living and the dead was much greater. Today, because of fear of death and lack of connection between cities and cemeteries, these spaces are known as rejected spaces. The importance of the cemeteries space is to the extent that some scholars consider the beginning of sedentismto bury the dead and build the cemeteries in a specific place. Cemeteries as the ultimate home of human beings are among the urban spaces where citizens find themselves at the intersection of life and death. The design of these places should strive to create a suitable environment that will heal citizens and provide them with reflective space in addition to bury the dead. However, much of the studies in this area have focused on issues such as the location of cemeteries and their cultural and historical landscapes and less on the impact of cemeteries on the surrounding context. Population growth, in turn, increases mortality rates. Therefore, more tombs and cemeteries are needed as municipal services. This is possible in a variety of ways, such as extending the old cemeteries, creating new cemeteries, making graves multi-level and increasing their number. Goals: One of the ways to meet the need for graves is the expansion of the old cemeteries and the direct and indirect impact of cemeteries on the whole city or its neighboring neighborhoods, in the short and long term, must be investigated. The present research seeks to investigate the effects of cemeteries on their adjacent texture in terms of various physical, social, economic, environmental, landscape, etc. dimensions. Methodology: The current research is applied in terms of type and the method used is qualitative, Delphi technique in two rounds was used to compute the indices. At first, using Delphi method (10 experts), the important indicators in assessing the effects of cemeteries on adjacent tissue were examined, then 21 in-depth random interviews with residents and business districts (including 52% men, 48% women and 43% between 39- 20, 38% between 59-40 and 19% over 60 years( were done. Conclusion:Imamzadeh Soltan Ebrahim cemetery near Quchan City was selected as the case study. The research findings show that the existence or expansion of the cemetery affects different dimensions of the adjacent neighborhoods. The effects of the cemeteries are mainly manifested as traffic and access problems; psychological problems; fear and insecurity, especially among women; as well as environmental problems such as unpleasant smell, noise caused by traffic, and visual uniformity. The residents’ views also affect these issues: if they live in this space from childhood, they will not leave the site and land prices will not change much; but if people find this environment as an isolated place, they will try to leave the environment and the area will be vacant. Therefore, urban planners should pay attention to the appropriate distance of the cemeteries from the residential buildings to reduce the neighboring residents’ problems. Some services may also be modified due to the residents’ needs, or new services may be created. The spread of cemeteries may affect the performance and efficiency of some land uses, for example, sales and income will fluctuate. Therefore, the performance of under-effect land uses, especially their economic performance, should be examined to minimize the damage to the surrounding businessmen. Meanwhile, the radius of access to important uses should be re-calculated in order to better answer the neighborhood residents’ needs. Creating a calm atmosphere and reducing the sense of fear and insecurity by creating a safe environment also may modify the residents’ attitudes towards the afterlife (The Cemeteries next to the Imamzadeh give more comfort to the surrounding residents and visitors because of the religious beliefs of the people, and because of the historical nature of the imamzadehs, historical building issues should also be considered.) It sould decrease the mental turmoil of the visitors by creating interesting scenery and visual variety. The cemetery planning must prevent environmental problems by keeping proper distance and prevent contamination of water, soil, etc. The placement and extension of cemeteries should also be such that the dominant wind from its side should not be toward the particularly residential regions. In addition, the deployment of protective green space is another consideration that should be taken into account when planning Cemeteries. By providing a scenic environment, planners should also try to connect this environment with the surrounding texture and create a more interactive space, as they did in the past.

The Optimum Design of Open and Green Spaces in Educational Complex to Improve Students Perception and Quality of Educational Environment (Case Study: Girls High Schools in Isfahan)

Seyedeh Marzieh Tabaeian

Volume 12, Issue 1 , June 2021, , Pages 127-139

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2020.214757.1339

Abstract

Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: In the architectural and physical design of many schools and other educational spaces within the country, the psychological aspects of students ... Read More Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: In the architectural and physical design of many schools and other educational spaces within the country, the psychological aspects of students and space users are highly neglected. However, these spaces and environments have the highest level of contact with children and teenagers, thus bearing long-term psychological and emotional effects on them. According to experts in the field, the school's educational environment should be designed so as to make learning easy and enjoyable. The ever-growing need to expand educational spaces along with the increased student population and the weakness of open spaces, and lack of suitable green environment in schools, is one of the main problems of today's society. In the meantime, the design of green space in these environments and the way of organizing the elements and integrating the occupied empty spaces with the desired capacity in the school space, both the interiors and exteriors such as courtyards, should be more flexible so that it can yield positive results in the teaching process. The arrangement of the elements together can create different-looking courtyards with various capabilities for relaxation and rest, exercise and the exploitation of green space, just as children and teenagers want a plethora of green spaces with different functions in school. Establishing a close and direct connection with the environment and outdoor nature makes the school a manifestation of the student's second home and at the same time. When space is in direct and close contact with such courtyard, it is possible to use both spaces simultaneously for both functions of learning or leisure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the desirable design of open spaces and outdoor educational environment at all educational levels, as shaping a sense of interest towards the educational environment and the subsequent interaction with green spaces and roaming space of the yard are highly contributing factors in the desirable attitude of students towards their learning environment and their resulting educational progress. The desirability of such spaces is also very effective in reducing the stress of the teaching staff and educators, thus forming constructive steps in the process of education and training. Methods: The research method in this paper is qualitative that employs descriptive (retrospective causal-comparative) indicators. The statistical population of this research includes all-girls high schools in Isfahan. According to the standards offered by the General Directorate of School Renovation of Isfahan Province, the schools of the four educational districts were divided into two groups of desirable and undesirable. In this research, a simple random sampling method was used to select subjects. Hence, 208 students from both school types (desirable and undesirable) were examined. Then, four high schools (one school from each district) were randomly selected from the list of schools. Two classrooms were subsequently randomly selected from each school. From each class, all students responded to the questionnaire items. In addition, students from both groups of desirable and undesirable schools were homogenized and compared in terms of intelligence quotient, education level of parents, economic and social status of the family, and lack of inflicting disorders. This self-report inventory consists of 32 Likert-scale items and is designed to examine attitudes of students toward educational spaces and the perception of the open environment and green space. In developing this questionnaire, a prototype questionnaire (preliminary design of the design scale) was used. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this inventory was estimated to be higher than 0.7, and the reliability of the data was thus confirmed. Findings: The results show that there is a significant difference between the average scores of the open space design of the yard and the green environment of the school from the students' point of view in two groups of schools. As such, the students studying at desired schools had a positive attitude towards the school and the educational environment in terms of exploiting the open spaces according to the students' psychological characteristics. The learning process in interaction with the open space, owing to the formation of gathering spaces, provides the possibility of group work practice and higher student participation. Conclusion: Overall, this collective learning and the relationship between the internal body and the external space positively affect students' intellectual activity. Also in consolidating the sense of place, this study explores the concepts of socialization and interpersonal interactions of students, learning and attractiveness of learning and promoting indirect education in the interaction between open and closed spaces (as well as the connecting semi-open spaces), softening the environment and appropriate landscaping and positive psychological effects of students and creating thermally comfortable seating space to be used in the outdoor environment, controlling the reflection of disturbing lights and sheltering rain or other climatic conditions in certain environments, strengthening students' sensory and visual communication with the environment and educational-oriented communication in the open environment and providing space for relation, rest, interpersonal interactions, observing others and creating creativity through research strategies and achievements, which requires appropriate design and careful application of the principles of architecture and environmental psychology.

Solutions to reduce cognitive dissonance in contemporary apartment units through adaptation of place-emotions and place-behaviors

Mina Dashti; Minoo Shafaei; Mohsen Afshari

Volume 14, Issue 2 , December 2023, , Pages 129-141

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2023.333480.1892

Abstract

Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: The residence, being a modest space, significantly influences the emotions of those who dwell in it. However, apartment units, in their ... Read More Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: The residence, being a modest space, significantly influences the emotions of those who dwell in it. However, apartment units, in their mere emphasis on functions, ignore the emotions of the occupants and cause cognitive dissonance and anxiety by creating conflicting emotions, thoughts, and desires. The primary research inquiry revolves around finding methods to minimize cognitive dissonance in modern apartment units. The purpose of this research is to identify common cognitive dissonances in contemporary apartments through identifying the emotional and behavioral affordances of residential spaces and the adaptation of place-emotions and place-behaviors, and secondly, to provide solutions to create cognitive compatibility in these houses. So far, the emotional affordances of the environment have been implicitly expressed in the definitions of the indirect affordances of the environment, but no consistent research has been done in this regard. Indeed, studies on environmental affordances typically focus on behavioral and functional aspects. This research aims to examine how the qualities and spatial features of a residence impact residents’ emotions. It delves into the concept of emotional affordances of the environment, providing clarifications through examples.Methods: In this study, a qualitative method and grounded theory were employed. Following a literature review on cognitive dissonance and environmental affordance, a field study was conducted involving thirty-four residents from twenty apartment units. At this stage, information is collected through interviews and photographs and sketches. Then place-behaviors and place-emotions maps were also drawn. Finally, conclusions have been made by adapting these maps. Apartment units are considered as the current model of contemporary housing in the current research. The samples were first selected from the city of Zanjan and after the pilot study, in order to verify the findings and continue the field research, samples from the cities of Karaj, Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz were added to the research. The samples were selected from middle-class housing and mass complexes were not considered in this research. Also, the purpose of the current research was to study the middle-class housing, which has an acceptable expansion and the most frequency in the country. The research exploratory nature led to the researcher not pre determinedly defining the space characteristics in the study design. Instead, characteristics considered more crucial from the audience’s perspective in eliciting place-emotions, and those to which residents are more sensitive, were identified through interviews, extracted, and coded. Interview tools were used to collect information, and two-person interviews were chosen as the main tool for data collection in this research. In order to understand the emotional and behavioral affordances of the units, the interview questions were designed in a semi-structured way. In addition to interviews, photos and sketches have been used to draw and finally analyze place-emotions and place-behaviors.Findings: In the theoretical part of the research findings based on the grounded research method and selective coding, three characteristics of behavioral patterns were identified, which include “types of activity (responsible, vital and optional activities)”, “scale of activity” and “time period of activity”. It was also found that the emotions related to the space can be divided into three categories of “spaciousness”, “coziness” and “memorability” under the title of the types of emotional affordances of the space. This research underscores the significance of residences having an additional dimension that encompasses place-emotions. Identifying examples of emotional affordances within residences can play a crucial role in analyzing place-emotions and mitigating cognitive dissonance. Therefore, the innovation in this research lies in expanding the theory of behavioral settings and exploring the impact of the relationship between place-emotion and place-behavior on cognitive dissonance. In the applied section of the study, the maps were analyzed utilizing the categories derived from behavioral and emotional patterns in apartment spaces. The aim was to illustrate that the repercussions of exclusively prioritizing functions and neglecting place-emotions in modern apartments can be elucidated by identifying cognitive dissonance. In the following, at three levels of “space details”, “space essence” and “connection between spaces”, design solutions were presented in order to strengthen emotional and functional affordances and resolve cognitive dissonance in contemporary residential spaces.Conclusion: Findings show that in contemporary apartment units, place-emotions and place-behaviors do not match, and this causes cognitive dissonance and stress. To reduce these tensions and cognitive dissonance, solutions have been proposed at three levels. At the level of communication between spaces, the use of linear structure, rooms with two doors and separation of spaces are suggested. At the level of dimensions and nature of the space, solutions such as coordination of activity scale and space scale, rooms with very small dimensions, transparent walls, spaces to support optional activities and a width of at least two meters for the terrace are mentioned. In the level of details and components of the space, solutions such as natural light, emotional atmosphere around the heating sources, transparent wall on the terrace and fireplace are presented.

Volume 14 (2023)

Volume 13 (2022)

Volume 12 (2021)

Volume 11 (2020)

Volume 10 (2019)

Volume 9 (2018)

Volume 8 (2018)

Volume 7 (2017)

Volume 6 (2016)

Volume 5 (2015)

Volume 4 (2014)

Volume 3 (2013)

Volume 2 (2011)

Volume 1 (2010)

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