The effects of scientific discovery have led many to fear the influence of scientists. This fear is no more apparent than in the realm of architecture. Many of the weakness in present day design can be traced to inhibitions which derive from erroneous assumptions about human behavior. More scientific understanding of man should help free architecture from these inhibitions. This paper highlights some variables and determinants of behavior as well as perceptual, psychological and cognitive factors that underlie the design of architectural elements and architectural spaces within different environments. The final section of the paper turns to a symptom of the weakness of architectural design in addressing the problem of overcrowding especially in terms of health mitigation. |
