Argument Paper
Increasing evidences showing that the environmental relationship between human and the environment is becoming closer and more complicated. The design of the environment and space affects people’s daily life and experience. The author Amos Rapoport, a famous designer, said that “The man-environment interaction is thus crucially linked by perception and cognition and this, in turn, is affected by culture” (Rapoprt, 1970). Undefining the title before perception and cognition are essential for interior design. In this argument paper, the main discussion shall contend on the impact of environmental and spatial conditions on the user of the design, and the importance of human experience within both place and space.
As a member of ethnic, social or cultural society, who is immersed within space and environment (Rapoprt, 1970). In a perceptual environment, space is not just a relatively simple physical space in the traditional sense. The concept of space should be fundamental of the definition of the environment, or more precisely, the type of space that is related to people. Based on this basis, people or designers can design better according to the current situation of the space to better meet customer needs. It should be noted that all the spaces discussed here are human spaces which can think of design as a process of spatial organization. Through the process of design and perception, the designer realistically expresses the ideal space, thus realizing the visualization of the design space. At the same time, space can also be symbolic. Designers select the appropriate system symbols to display behavioral spaces based on the characteristics of the space, such as cultural differences and behavioral standards. For example, when the first group of immigrants came to the north America, the design style of Protestantism’s church was simple and clever combined by Goth and Roma style due to lack of local resources and diversity of faith.
It is essential to environmental factors for interior design. In the article, prospect-refuge, the author explains that people prefer environments where they can easily survey their surroundings and quickly hide or retreat to safety if necessary. Environments with both prospect and refuge elements are perceived as safe places to explore and dwell and consequently are considered more aesthetic than environments without these elements (W., K., & J.,2010). This article also mentions that the principles, do perception and cognition, are based on the evolutionary history of human beings and that the environment with sufficient prospects and evasiveness increases the probability of survival of humans and early humans (W., K., & J.,2010). These principles show that people prefer the edge rather than the middle space; there is space for the ceiling or the roof; providing unobstructed space; these types of spaces are spaces that provide a sense of security and are concealed. So, people prefer this type of space. For example, in the 20th century, various spa places for women, considering the privacy and security of customers, in order to attract more customers and improve the consumer experience.
About the impact of perception and cognition on environmental design, the article design as narrative: a theory of inhabiting interior space proposes a new theoretical framework derived from the narrative structure. It establishes specific design criteria suitable for understanding the human experience of indoor spaces (Ganoe,1999). Use predictive methods to explain the possible human response to interior design. This approach is like the personal narrative. By combining the complex diversity of humans and society, it can help designers make informed decisions and better judge the design direction and theory of complex and abstract phenomena. “Design narrative theory provides a practical and dynamic system for acknowledging the importance of human meaning in interior space (Ganoe,1999).” This article mentions the discuss accessing of human meaning “alter the consciousness of the designer’s concept means “challenges the imagination and offers emotional rewards regardless of its pragmatic duty (Ganoe,1999).” In this way, reference can be made to reflect a designer’s design process, as well as the individual’s unique understanding of the world and the psychological relationship with the world. Human beings reflect on their own life experiences and understand this experience in a language-supported way so that people can work better and cooperate with others. The author says, “Use of a narrative framework made specific to interior design can assist the designer in making wise concrete decisions about complex and abstract phenomena” (Ganoe,1999). The new standard provides a deeper understanding of the customer’s preference for the design style so that it can better design a place space for the user. For example, the color design of kindergartens, designers have used children’s understanding and perception of color to achieve children’s judgment and understanding of things, to achieve the goal of education, to promote the individualized development of children, to grow in the subtle.
Lastly, for architectural design, designers can creatively apply architectural science and technology to maximize environmental synergies. An effective program means that some design ideas are reducing this consumption and emissions in this way. The author mentioned that human ecological design proactively interfaces people with environments by constructing a built environment. By implementing, the human experience is within the space and place. The details that obtain meaning from the whole, human ecological design establishes new spaces, their sense of place and their environmental interfaces. According to the theory of Human Ecological Design, the design and construction of the buildings we live, work and rebuild, profoundly affect human experience, health, well-being and the environment steady (Caplan, 2016). By considering human needs and sustainable design concepts, this approach can better play the role and purpose of architecture for human design. The architectural theory of sustainable technology connects the relationship between people and the relationship between architecture and the natural environment. When integrated with the design process, these factors can positively impact the design’s results.
In conclusion, the theory and direction of interior space design are based on human needs and the importance of perception and cognition of space and place design. In order to obtain more profound theoretical research results and better design projects, designers still need further research and practice to get an accurate basis; however, as seen in the experience presented thesis, designers have a good start on the space, place meaning and design.
References
Rapoport, A. (1970). The study of spatial quality. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 4(4), 81-95.
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal principles of design: 125 ways to enhance usability, influence perception, increase appeal, make better design decisions, and teach through design. Beverly, Mass: Rockport Publishers.
Ganoe, C. J. (1999). Design as narrative: A theory of inhabiting interior space. Journal of Interior Design, 25(2), 1-15. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1668.1999.tb00340.x
Caplan, B. (2016). Buildings are for people: Human ecological design. Chicago: Libri Publishing.