Nazani Daeinezhad; Khosro Afzalian; Seyyed Javad Asadpour; Mohammad Hamed Mousavi
Abstract
Nowadays, in residential spaces, due to the architects' lack of attention to the components of sensory perception of residents and the lack of attention to the effect of the senses on their perception process, we are witnessing the deterioration of the quality of life and the unfavorable satisfaction ...
Read More
Nowadays, in residential spaces, due to the architects' lack of attention to the components of sensory perception of residents and the lack of attention to the effect of the senses on their perception process, we are witnessing the deterioration of the quality of life and the unfavorable satisfaction of residents in their place of residence. Due to the fact that phenomenological attitudes in the field of residential spaces have received less attention from researchers, this research has taken advantage of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological perspective and the theories derived from it, and it aims to provide strategies to improve the quality of sensory perception of residents of residential spaces. This study is from the perspective of descriptive-analytical and survey methodology. It is done through questionnaires, and its statistical population is 50 experts in architecture. The SmartPLS 2.0 software is used to determine the validity of questionnaires, and the Friedman test is used in the SPSS software to prioritize data. The findings indicate that vernacular materials creating a memorable feeling with a T-statistic value of 3.47, flexibility and fluidity of the space with a T-statistic value of 3.44 and the use of symbols and signs with a T-statistic value of 3.12 have the most significant effect on improving the quality of sensory perception of residents of living spaces, which is explained in detail.
Keywords: Sensory Perception, Phenomenology, Residential Spaces, Merleau-Ponty.
Introduction
Every phenomenon has two aspects: the perceptual aspect and the structural aspect. Architecture gains meaning by stepping into the second dimension, which is perception. Considering that in the phenomenology of the built environment, receiving sensory data and transforming them in the processes of mental processing and representation and association to meanings plays the most crucial role, it is essential to deal with the feeling of architecture and its perception. After explaining the importance of sensory perception and its connection with the phenomenological perspective, the main issue investigated in this research is the qualitative degradation of the sensory perception of the residents of residential spaces in the contemporary period and, subsequently, the reduction of spatial reading and finally the degradation of the quality of life. Therefore, increasing the quality of life of the residents of contemporary housing depends on improving their residents’ perception of the environment. In this regard, considering the favorable relationship between the science of phenomenology and the process of sensory perception, this research mainly aims to use one of the components in the phenomenological view of Merleau-Ponty and related attitudes to improve the quality of sensory perception of residents of residential spaces. The following questions must be answered to achieve the primary purpose of the research:
1- What are the components and related indicators in sensory perception of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological attitude?
2- How can Ponty's phenomenological components be used for the qualitative perception of residents of residential spaces?
Methodology
The nature of the upcoming research is theoretical-applied. This study is a mixed type of research with two qualitative and quantitative parts. It first expresses the importance of sensory perception in residential spaces and its place in Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological approach. Then, the existing components and related indicators are categorized, and most questionnaires are presented to the expert statistical community to prioritize the most impact on the residents' sensory perception. To compile the questionnaires, the components of sensory perception from Merleau-Ponty's point of view were collected through library sources, book collections and articles. After coding, the components were arranged in dimensions (geographical-cultural, physical and semantic-perceptual criteria). In this part of the research, at first, specialized strategies are explained based on the component of the phenomenological approach, and experts are used only to prioritize the strategies.
Result & discussion
This research was aimed at presenting and prioritizing strategies for increasing the quality of sensory perception with a phenomenological approach based on Merleau-Ponty's point of view. It was suggested that the semantic-perceptual components have the most significant impact on the perception process of residents of residential spaces. The physical component and its sub-components, space flexibility and visual proportions are also effective in the sensory perception process of residents of residential spaces. In summary, it can be acknowledged that in the contemporary residential space, in order to improve the quality of the sensory perception of its residents, it is possible to use symbols and signs in the context of design and identity-building elements to evoke memories and strengthen sensory perception as well as fluidity as much as possible. The space is used through the flexibility and dynamics of the interior space and, finally, the visual proportions.
Conclusions
In order to improve the quality of the sensory perception of the residents of residential spaces, the following practical strategies can be presented based on the research’s findings:
ow
Component
Subcomponent
The final strategy
1
Semantic-perceptual
1- Using symbols and signs
2- Using identity elements
Today, in residential spaces, we see that these spaces have only been a shelter for their residents, and one of their most basic needs (their favorable perception of the environment and their sense of belonging to the space) is not given the necessary attention. This is achieved through strategies such as symbols and signs in the traditional architecture of Iran and the use of elements in the space that cause the perception and meaning of the environment as much as possible.
2
physical
1-Space flexibility
2-Visual proportions
The sense of sight is essential in the perception process of residents of residential spaces. However, the necessary attention is not paid to the sense of sight and its stimulation. This importance can be taken advantage of through strategies such as more fluidity of the space (furniture and flexible and dynamic elements) and visual proportions in the space to read the space as much as possible.
However, increasing the visual continuity, proportions, and human scale is a practical strategy to perceive the residents’ sense of vision in the residential space.
3
Geographical-cultural
1-Vernacular materials to create a memorable feeling
Today, one of the factors of the lack of interaction between the user and his residential environment is the lack of creating a memorable feeling and the subsequent degradation of the sense of belonging to the place and unfavorable sensory perception of the space. In the past, one of the strategies used in residential spaces was to use vernacular materials that were compatible with the climate and culture of that society. However, today, with the advancement of technology, the use of vernacular materials is less in accordance with the society's culture, and this causes a decrease in the residents' favorable perception of their living space.
On the other hand, the application of behavioral approaches in the design of residential buildings, based on the behavioral patterns of the residents and the socio-cultural characteristics of the residents in a building and residential space, leads to an increase in the residents’ perception.
