Perceptual Architecture Define, Implement, Resolve How can perceptually informed architecture increase the perceived size and spaciousness of high-density apartments?
Llewelyn Griffiths 300280826
Scope of design Dwelling design
Residential Typical Floor Plan 1:350 @ A3
Scope of design Building design
Public Typical Floor Plan 1:350 @ A3
Public spaces
Dwellings
Public spaces
Dwellings
Public spaces
Dwellings
Public spaces Mixed use
Out of scope
Elevation SE 1:1000
Building Section 1:1000
Elevation NE 1:1000
Site
High density apartments
900m
32 Customs Street E, Auckland
Scope of research How can perceptually informed architecture increase the perceived size and spaciousness of high-density apartments?
Methodology
Optimization of space
Densification
High density Apartment design
Volume parameters
Virtual Reality Perceptual understanding
Virtual reality methodology VR as a tool in architecture
Define
Implement
Resolve
Architectural Fundamentals
Architectural Design process
Architectural Visualisation
Utilising a Virtual Reality aided research
Virtually evaluating how design solutions
Using Virtual Reality to visualize the
method to establish an understanding of
have incorporated the research to provide
finished product, which offers a 1 to 1
how people perceive space.
architectural principles.
representation of an architecture.
New methodology
Developing design process
Current primary use
A developing process which is not traditionally used in architecture
Using VR within the design process to add additional understanding
Client or designer visualisation towards the end of the design
Thesis Components
Primary zone
ht sig of ine gl din ten Ex
Perceived size
Light
rm
Perceived spaciousness
Fo
Ex pa nd ing pe rce pti on
Optimization of space
Materiality
Secondary zone
Define
Implement
Resolve
Define the perceived spatial parameters through experiments to develop an understadning of the issue.
Implement the research into design principles and evaluate the design translation.
Resolve the outputs into a coherent architecture which addresses the issue or investigation.
Experiment Method A virtual reality experiment to investigate optimum high-density apartment parameters
Scale room
Participant
VR experience
Square
Width (X)
Height (Y)
Depth (Z)
Scale room
Stepped ceiling
Corner
Mezzanine Floor
Matching
Movement in room
Change in perceived volume (m3)
The effect of shape on perceived volume
40.00
A
E
B
F
C
G
20.00
0.00
-20.00
D -40.00 1
2
3
A
B
C
VR Rooms
D
E
F
G
Change in perceived volume (m3)
Ceiling height on perceived volume
Perceived volume Objective volume R= 0.283 Average ceiling height
Perceived spaciousness ratings
Room width on perceived spaciousness
Objective volume Perceived spaciousness ratings R = 0.545
Average width of room (m)
Perceived liveability and spaciousness
Perceived spaciousness ratings
10
Objective volume Increased liveability Increase spaciousness
0
0
Perceived liveability ratings
10
R = 0.825
Output of research
Room 2 High ratings
Room 1
People afford the space in terms of use (liveability).
How do people feel in a room?
Low ratings
Room width is supporting behaviour and liveability. The perceived
Room 1
Room 2
Room 1
Room 2
Room 1
Room 2
High ratings
space had large implications over objective volume.
Low ratings
Future direction of research
Current research The current foundational parameters act as an opportunity to explore the thesis question. The parameters require further development to reach their full optimisable potential.
Perceived spaciousness Width increase
Perceived volume Height increase
Optimising parameters Volume increase
Future research Subsequent parameters would expand on the current research, adding more complexity and variables to formulate a complete optimisable system of a volume.
Optimising parameters Constant volume
Adding parameters Lights, windows etc
Adding complexity Real representation
Research Implementation Architectural principles
Primary zone
ht sig of ine gl din ten Ex
Perceived size
rm
Perceived spaciousness
Fo
Ex pa nd ing pe rce pti on
Optimization of space
Light
Secondary zone
Materiality
Key
VR Evaluation matrix
CONCEPT DESIGN E2
Investigating
Tested
PRELIMINARY DESIGN E3
E5
E4
DEVELOPED DESIGN E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
Ev1
X2
Ev2
Ev3
Ev4
Ev5
Ev6
Penetration Strategies
Interior Development
Final Dwellings
75 m3
E1
Chosen solution
Design 1
-2
5m
3
+2
5m
3
45m2
Design 2
+2
5m
3
-2
5m
3
70m2
Design 3
90m2 dd
Volume shape
Apartment Shape
Research Intergration
Circulation/ Movement
Experiment Limitations
Window strategies
Double height Integration
Double height Views
Balancing size and comfort
Exterior Walls
Window Seating/ Arrangement
Facade Design
Final Preliminary
&RQ¿UPDWLRQ Experiment
Rethinking Implementation
P + S Zones + Floor Plates
Materiality Iterations
Extending perceived width Extending the line of sight to create a more spacious environment
Sec tion cut
Traditional
Extended
Two Bedroom Unit
Three Bedroom Unit
Perceptual overlap A perceptual overlap facilitates an increase of perceived width and spaciousness
Living Room
Program overlap
Kitchen
Bedroom
Living Room
Perceptual overlap
ZONES
One Bedroom Unit
Primary Secondary
Kitchen
Bedroom
Optimization of space Creating the largest subjective increase with the least objective increase to improve perceived size and spaciousness
Y
X
Dwelling Shape Concept
One Bedroom
3D Modelling
Conceptual sketches
Two Bedroom
3D Modelling
Conceptual sketches
Three Bedroom
3D Modelling
Conceptual sketches
Zones:Primary & Secondary
Central void
Circulation Placement
Extending width
Splitting Levels
Breaking Program
Soft Boundaries
Rethinking Implementation
Vertical connectivity
Transparent Materiality
Architectural Layering
Confirmation Experiment
75 m3
Confirming that the VR experiment parameters translate to non-abstracted environments
Design 1 Preliminary final
Scale room +2 5m 3
Participant
Design 2
Design 2
Design 3 -2 5m 3
Design 3 Increased width Decreased height +2 5m 3
Design 1
-2 5m 3
Decreased width Increased height
Scale room
Matching
Optimising parameters Balancing perceived spaciousness
Width
Peak
Height
Height
Width
Optimum
Perceived spaciousness and liveability
Optimum solution
Rating
Perceived volume (m3)
Perceived volume
Design 1
Design 2
Design 3
S L Design 1
S L Design 2
S L Design 3
Design 1
Design 2
Design 3
One bedroom 50 m2
Two bedroom 70 m2
Three bedroom 90 m2
Final dwelling types Dwelling Axonometric Sections
One bedroom
Two bedroom
Three bedroom
Dwelling Layouts Primary and secondary spaces
Two bedroom
One bedroom
Three bedroom
1
1
8 5
1
2
8
5
1 1
8
7 3
3
5
2 7
ZONES
4
Primary Secondary
4
Bedroom Living Bathroom Entry
6 3
3
Dwelling Key 1. 2. 3. 4.
1
5. 6. 7. 8.
Kitchen Study Balcony Dining
2 4
Dwe lling Abo ve
One Bedroom Unit 1:200
Se cti on cu t
The one bedroom dwellings formulate a single living environment using the architectural principles.
A mezzanine floor creates a
perceptual overlap and visual connectivity to the dwelling volume. This maximises the perceived volume to create a larger and more spacious environment.
low e B ing l l e Dw
Volume Transparency
The primary zone of the dwelling visually connects the secondary programs. As per the design principles this creates more spacious spaces without increasing the objective volume size
Increasing spaciousness Dwelling bedroom
Dwelling Above
Dwelling Below
Program pockets separate the spaces to allow for privacy from activity from the rest of the dwelling. This provides a visual connectivity without the disruption of invasive noise and exposed privacy.
Two Bedroom Unit 1:200
ove b a lling e w D
Sec tion cut
The two bedroom dwellings formulates a coherent living hierarchy
using the
architectural principles. Pockets containing the secondary zones creates a perceptual overlap and visual connectivity to the dwelling volume.
Dwell ing Be low
Spatial Connectivity
Permeability of the architecture facilitates the perceptual overlap as well as creating more spacious environments. The circulation space inhabits the primary zone to express a visual coherence of volume and movement.
Perceptual overlap Dwelling bedroom one
The
secondary
programs
utilise
existing
volumes to expand the perceived space. The visual elongation of ceiling planes forms an implied space. These interventions improve the feeling of spaciousness within spaces, both in primary and secondary zones.
Dw elli ng Abo ve
Three Bedroom Unit 1:200
Se cti on cu t
The three bedroom dwellings utilize the architectural principles to otimpise the available
low e B g n i Dwell
space. The staggered floor plate allows a perceptual overlap to occur without impeding on privacy or practicability. The volume is shared between the dwelling zones to increase the overall perceived size and spaciousness, and thus liveability.
Communicating volume
The primary zone visually connects the dwelling to all secondary zones. The volume is instantly communicated as soon as you enter the interior. By illustrating the entire volume the perceived size and spaciousness is improved, creating more liveable high density dwellings.
Expanding spaces Dwelling bedroom three
Dwelling Above
Dwelling Below
By creating a connection of widths between spaces the room can share the perceived volume to expand the subjective space. This allows relatively small spaces to feel more spacious and as a result more liveable.
Expressing parameters Dwelling Access
Floor Above
Floor Below
Expanding the perceived space can be achieved by expressing the buildings mass through Panel shifts which extend in both height and width. The perceived space is expanded by implementing the research parameters, illustrating the potential of informed spatial arrangement.
Extending Line of sight Public Balcony
Dwelling Above
Dwelling Above
Dwelling Below
Dwelling Below
By expanding the subjective size through increasing the perceived height, a larger angle for sun light penetration can also create an inviting and open community space. Using the parameters alongside traditional design principles is imperative to form succesful perceptually informed architecture.
Community spaces Planting areas
Dwelling
Journey
Public space
Perceived space
This extends the building program for the occupant, removing people from the confines of their home. Extending program has the potential to create an external overlap which recognises the journey to public space as an extension of the home.
2017
Problem
Design method
New Design method
Future direction
Final Thesis Design
Developed Design
Developed Design
Research
Research
Research
͙ Materiality ͙ Windows ͙ Light
͙ Circulation ͙ Behaviour ͙ Layout
͙ Spaciousness ͙ liveability ͙ Size
Developed Design method
Developed Design method
Perceptual Architecture Define, Implement, Resolve
Primary zone
ht sig of ine gl din ten Ex
Perceived size
rm
Perceived spaciousness
Fo
Ex pa nd ing pe rce pti on
Optimization of space
Light
Secondary zone
Materiality