Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

• Minoo Shafaei ¹
• mina dashti ²
• Mohsen Afshari ³

¹ Faculty member/AUI

² Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture,, Art University of Isfahan

³ Art universality of Isfahan

Abstract

The home, as an unassuming place, has a profound effect on the emotions of its inhabitants. But today, apartment houses, 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 main question of research is how to reduce cognitive dissonance in contemporary apartment houses? The purpose of this study is to provide solutions to eliminate cognitive dissonance in apartment houses with an emphasis on place-emotions along with place-behaviors.
In the present study, qualitative method and grounded theory have been used and after reviewing the literature in the field of cognitive dissonance and environment affordance, a field study has been performed on thirty-four residents of twenty apartment houses. At this stage, information is collected through interviews and photographs and sketches. then maps of place-behaviors and place-emotions are drawn. Finally, conclusions have been shaped by adapting these maps.
Findings show that in contemporary apartment houses, place-emotions and place-behaviors do not match, and this causes cognitive dissonance and stress. To reduce these tensions and cognitive dissonance, at three levels, solutions have been proposed. 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, porous 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, porous wall on the terrace and fireplace are presented.

Keywords

• Cognitive dissonance
• Environment affordance
• Place-behavior
• Place-emotion
• Contemporary home

Main Subjects

• Architecture