This dissertation is concerned with the aesthetics of architecture using system building in housing in the UK. It has been produced in response to a growing level of interest in the system building method and in the aesthetic value of housing schemes constructed using the system building method.
The aim here is to consider research on the system building methods within a house building context and test different types or categories of housing schemes based on aesthetic preference. This study explores issues of perception and level of aesthetic value.
In general, aesthetics is the study of the psychological responses to beauty and artistic experiences.
Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy which deals with the nature of art and of artistic judgment. Some of the central questions of aesthetics focus on the beautiful: under what circumstances it may be said to exist, what criteria are to be used to judge the beautiful, and whether or not these criteria apply equally to literature and music.
There are two traditional views concerning what constitutes aesthetic values. The first finds beauty to be objective, that is, inherent in the entity itself. The second position holds that beauty is subjective, in that it depends on the attitude of the observer. Immanuel Kant argued that judgments of taste, as he called aesthetic judgments, rest on feelings, which, though subjective, have universal validity. The instrumental theory of value, an extension of subjectivism, holds that the value of art consists in its capacity to produce an aesthetic experience (Kristen L. Zacharias).
System building leads to a faster completion period, well organized site, and better quality workmanship and most importantly offers major cost benefits for clients, architects and builders (Basri, 2006). This also means that the construction method is simplified and standardised and ensures good communication between the parties involved (Fergusson, 1981). For the purpose of this study the concept of system building is to be understood in its widest possible context.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Chapter One - Historical review
3. Chapter Two - Current uses
3.1 Systems available
3.2 Benefits of system building
3.3 Key issues in the system building method
3.4 Perceptions of value and aesthetics
3.5 The image of system building
3.6 Flexibility and services
3.7 Procurement
4. Chapter Three - Perceptions and attitudes towards system building
4.1 General image
4.2 Perceived performance
4.3 Public expectation
4.4 Perceived value
4.5 System building awareness
5. Chapter Four - Aesthetics and Psychology
5.1 Perception
5.2 Aesthetic
5.3 Vagueness
5.4 Vague notions to physical concepts
5.5 Feelings
5.6 Attributes for assessing preference
6. Chapter Five – A study examining attitudes towards various house types using system building
6.1 Methodology
6.2 Results
7. Chapter Six - Conclusions and recommendations
Research Objectives and Focus
This dissertation investigates the architectural aesthetics of system-built housing in the UK. It addresses the growing interest in prefabrication by evaluating public attitudes and aesthetic preferences through a study of three distinct housing scheme categories, aiming to determine how perception influences the value of modern construction methods.
- History and evolution of system building methods.
- Psychological aspects of architectural perception and aesthetics.
- Public attitudes regarding performance, value, and monotony in prefabricated housing.
- Comparative analysis of aesthetic preferences for social housing, semi-detached estates, and up-market apartments.
- Evaluation of the influence of aesthetic quality on the willingness to purchase.
Excerpt from the Book
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the perception of, and attitude towards beauty and taste. It is closely associated with the philosophy of art.
Aesthetic value-judgments depend on our ability to discriminate at a sensory level. Aesthetics examines what makes something beautiful, sublime, disgusting, discordant, and harmonious and so on.
Immanuel Kant, writing in 1790, observes of a man that "If he says that canary wine is agreeable he is quite content if someone else corrects his terms and reminds him to say instead: It is agreeable to me," because "Everyone has his own (sense of) taste". The case of "beauty" is different from mere "agreeableness" because, "If he proclaims something to be beautiful, then he requires the same liking from others; he then judges not just for himself but for everyone, and speaks of beauty as if it were a property of things." (Bernard, 1892 available from Wikipedia)
With regard to architecture, although structural integrity, cost, the nature of building materials, and the functional utility of the building are integral to the design process, aesthetic considerations are applied in practice by architects to buildings and related architectural structures. Common aesthetic design principles include ornamentation, edge delineation, texture, flow, solemnity, symmetry, color, granularity, the interaction of sunlight and shadows, transcendence, and harmony.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the scope of the study regarding aesthetic preferences in UK system-built housing and defines the core philosophical framework of aesthetics.
Chapter One - Historical review: Examines the development of system building from the early 20th century, through both World Wars, highlighting the impact of post-war housing needs and the Ronan Point incident.
Chapter Two - Current uses: Details various system building methods available, discussing the benefits of speed and quality against the challenges of procurement and service integration.
Chapter Three - Perceptions and attitudes towards system building: Explores why public perception of system building has been historically negative, linking this to past performance issues and expectations of traditional materials.
Chapter Four - Aesthetics and Psychology: Reviews the psychological processes behind human perception of form, the role of vagueness in design theory, and the specific attributes that influence architectural preference.
Chapter Five – A study examining attitudes towards various house types using system building: Describes the methodology and results of a user study testing aesthetic preference across three specific housing design categories.
Chapter Six - Conclusions and recommendations: Synthesizes the research findings, confirming the link between aesthetic value and purchase attitude, while offering recommendations for future housing design practices.
Keywords
System building, Architecture, Aesthetics, Prefabrication, Housing, Perceptual psychology, Design preference, UK housing market, Construction methods, Public perception, Architectural quality, Sustainability, Modernization, Residential design, Innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this dissertation?
The work investigates the aesthetic value of system-built housing in the UK and explores how public perception and psychological factors influence the acceptance of these modern construction methods.
Which key thematic areas are addressed?
Key topics include the history of prefabrication, the influence of perceptual psychology on aesthetics, barriers to public acceptance of non-traditional building, and user preference studies across various architectural styles.
What is the main research objective?
The primary aim is to test whether high aesthetic value in system-built housing significantly influences attitudes toward its purchase and to understand how different design categories are perceived by the public.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, primarily involving a survey-based methodology where participants evaluated three types of housing designs using photographic stimuli to rank aesthetic preference and purchasing intent.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers a comprehensive historical review, an analysis of current technical uses of system building, a detailed psychological examination of aesthetics, and a practical case study comparing three different house types.
What are the primary keywords that characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as system building, architectural aesthetics, prefabrication, public perception, design preference, and housing construction.
How did the Ronan Point incident affect the industry?
The 1968 explosion at Ronan Point severely damaged the reputation of system building, leading to a long-term public perception that prefabricated housing is of lower quality or less safe than traditional construction.
Why is the Japanese market mentioned as a model?
Japan is considered a successful model because it has integrated high levels of innovation, a robust supply chain, and a wide range of customization options, which allows system-built houses to be aesthetically pleasing and highly desirable to all market segments.
How does the author define aesthetic value?
The author views aesthetic value as a subjective judgment influenced by the observer's familiarity with a style, the function of the building, and specific physical attributes like material quality, facade articulation, and color.
What is the final conclusion regarding design preference?
The study concludes that aesthetic quality is a significant driver of purchase intent, with respondents consistently preferring design C due to its contemporary style and superior architectural composition, regardless of the underlying construction method.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Razak Basri (Author), 2007, System Building and Aesthetic Preference, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/176297
