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Understanding Theory
Chapter 22 – Developing Design Concepts
Definition of Theory
• Theory is a mental construct of how and
why things happen, which is often used
to predict future events or actions.
• A design theory is a way to direct
design based on a system of beliefs or
philosophy.
• Theory is not style.
• Example: Southwestern is a style. The
use of courtyards and enclosed outdoor
spaces that act as a connection
between public and private spaces is
based on a theory of public/private
continuum in architecture.
• Also, the use of courtyards has a
historic and cultural precedence.
How theory is developed
• Historic precedence: to base current design on
ideas and styles of the past. ie: classical revival
styles or art nouveau style which is free flowing
and connected to nature
• Environmental design: theories that focus on
the interaction between humans and their
environment. It is based on scientific research.
(examples: territoriality and personal space)
Evidence Based Design (EBD) bases design
decisions on credible research that links one
or more environmental elements with
desired outcomes. Often used in healthcare
environments as well as educational and
office design to relate design to improved
wellbeing, productivity, better test scores,
etc.)
How theory is developed
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Functionalism places emphasis on providing simple,
rational solutions to design problems without
extraneous decoration. Architects such as Le
Corbusier believed "a house is a machine for living
in" reflecting a modern theory of functionality without
ornamentation. Louis Sullivan believed that "form
should follow function".
Theories of perception deals with understanding how
people perceive the world. By understanding these
theories, designers can better understand why some
designs work and others do not work.
Gestalt Psychology
Gestalt psychology deals with human perception. It states that the
whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. People try to group individual
bits of stimuli into a larger whole rather than seeing things as separate
entities.
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Grouping: similarity and proximity
Closure
Continuity
Simplicity
Figure ground
Social and cultural influences
• Political conditions: prevailing political attitudes and policy may
affect design thinking (sustainable and environmental
movements)
• Economic conditions: the state of the economy is often
reflected in architecture and interior design. Prosperous times
may promote lavish times while uncertain times will be less
austere.
• Cultural attitudes: the prevailing cultural views of the family,
shared values, religion, fashion, leisure pursuits, sports, and
the like may influence a design response. Current trends in
fashion and consumer goods regarding color, material use and
industrial design often reach into the realms of interior design
and architecture.
• Symbolism: the physical environment acts as a symbol to
represent an idea of what they think it should look like. Ex:
banks should be traditional
• Regionalism: design that reflects the local geographic area.
Psychological and Social
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Territoriality is a fundamental aspect
of human behavior and refers to
people's need to lay claim to the
space they occupy and the things
they own.
Proxemics was created by Edward
T. Hall to describe the interrelated
observations and theories about
how people use space as a
specialized elaboration of culture. It
deals with the issues of spacing
between people, territoriality,
organization of space, and
positioning of people in space, all
relative to the culture of which they
are part.
Psychological and Social
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Personalization occurs when people
arrange their environment to reflect
their presence and uniqueness.
Group interaction: the environment
can either facilitate or hinder human
interaction. In most behavior
settings, groups are predisposed to
act in a particular way. If the setting
is not conducive to the activities, the
people will try to modify the
environment or modify their
behavior to make the activity work.
In really extreme cases, stress,
anger and other adverse reactions
can occur.
Seating arrangements
• One of the most
common ways to
facilitate group
interaction is
through seating
arrangements.
Studies will show
that people will
seat themselves
at a table
according to the
nature of their
relationships with
others around
them.
Seating arrangements
• Round tables foster more
cooperation and equality
among those seated around
them.
• Rectangular tables make
corporation more difficult
and establishes that the
person on the end in a more
superior position.
• Individual study carrels in a
library would be used more
than rectangular tables.
Status
• Status refers to an individuals position within the environment.
• A corner office has more status than an office with one exterior
wall.
• Use of windows vs. no windows
• Higher quality furnishings and more furnishings
• Office size
• Status is important to address in a commercial program.