Experiments on the Spatial Perception and Spatial Cognition of Architects (HS)

Abstract

The course deals with the question of how architects perceive architectural and urban space and how their spatial imagination can be grasped empirically. This before the tradition of comparable investigations in history and the theory of architecture. In the seminar we work with Unity.

Objective

Students gain insight into the history and theory of scientific spatial research and architectural aesthetics as well as into the related contemporary cognitive sciences (cognitive psychology and neuroscience). They develop an original question about the perception of space and the spatial imagination of architects, which they verify in an experiment. This experiment will be realised in a video game.

Content

The course presents the "state of the art" of cognitive sciences and their relevance to architecture against the background of the historical analysis of architectural theory with these topics. Discussions take place on existing experiments and theories that pertain to architecture and uses them to develop original, empirical experiments from which a sound understanding of architecture and design can be gained. Students will work also with Hololens and thus investigate upon the boundary between the experience of "real" and of "virtual" spaces.

Resources