Written Report

In
Architectural Design Theory 1
For

CHAPTER 5: VISUAL ACUITY AND PERCEPTION

a. Spatial Perception
b. Visual or Optical Illusions
c. Monocular Cues to Depth

Submitted by: Group 5

Albayda, Louis Andrei
Estrada, Cristine Cassandra
Peña, Jonaliza
Peñaflor, Mark Joseph
Solomon, Rommel
Yamba, Angelo

Course, Year and Section: BGT AT – 2C

Submitted to: Prof. Mojica, Melvin
 A. Spatial Perception

What is spatial perception? spatial perception is the ability to be conscious of your relationships
with your surroundings and yourself.

In other words, it is about connection. Connections between you and your surroundings. The best
example of spatial perception is the gadgets you are using right now. How? By just using it,
there's a connection. You know how to use it, you know it's working and you know its
capability.

Also, spatial perception is a useful cognitive skill. For instance, when we move, get dressed, or
even when drawn. Poor spatial awareness impacts our ability to focus and comprehend how our
body interacts with its surroundings. One more example is it enable to not bump into walls,
chairs, beds, and doors, etc. Thus, when you are driving, if you have low spatial perception, you
tend to create an accident and bump into other cars.

THE VISUAL NATURE OF SPACE

Experiencing space is a subtle act of the human body and mind. Space is indeed difficult to
analyze or describe. Everywhere you look, there is space. Our eyes enable us to see and
experience space. But there is a slight change in experiencing space and it is through
photography. And as you can see in the image shown, there is a normal, wide angle, and
telephoto. By taking pictures using wide-angle and telephoto, you can see more pictures of
space, than the normal view. Our perspective changes through photography and we can distort
space. But then, it is an experiential lie.

Now, primary space. Although space is self-evident, our perception of it is not. Our brain is
equipped with mechanisms that enable visual inputs to be stored and processed, practically
instantly producing information that we may use to take action. Of course, our brain tends to
familiarize something. However, there is called Cognitive flaws or cognitive bias. Cognitive
flaws/cognitive bias is systematic errors in a person's subjective way of thinking, while logical
fallacies are errors in a logical argument. Optic illusions are the technical term for these flaws.

I have given three examples of optical illusions that were shown below. I know you are familiar
with optical illusions. Well, about optical illusions, it is not the true nature of space. Illusions
trick our brain's visual mechanics and have limited relevance to three-dimensional spatial
effects.

Well, the thing about natural space is that physical spaces affect us as conscious beings. This is
the true nature of space, the primacy of space.

HISTORICAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT

As you can see, there are three rows in the given picture. From top to bottom, the columns stand
for each culture's constructed environment, physiological orientation in space, and geometric
understanding. One can see that the idea of geometry was not developed in the pre-civilization
period. Their understanding of geometry, movement through space, and mode of habitation were
nearly entirely affected by nature and motion. Circular cultures and the advent of the calendar
follow. The first indications of geometric hierarchy may be seen in the capacity to draw basic
shapes in the sand, and their observation of the cosmos allowed them to start predicting things
like the sun rising, the changing of the seasons, and astronomical events. Worshiping the world
axis was one defining characteristic. The potential to establish larger towns and develop a system
of grouped circular constructions at the same time.

Look at the second row. The Egyptians then move on to more advanced geometric typologies
and basic math. The ability to work with stone and create more intricate constructions that were
loosely aligned on perpendicular axes emerged almost simultaneously. This is in contrast to the
Greek worldview, which viewed every object as a reflection of beauty and perfection that was
passed down from an order originating from the heavens and Gods. Temples, in particular, were
positioned so that they might be perceived as distinct, plastic objects in space. On the third row,
the social caste system used by the Romans was more complex. Their architectural typologies
were tightly structured by axiality to organize their society. Any Roman camp could be entered
by a soldier who is familiar with its organizational structure. The development of things in space,
the discovery of perspective, and predetermined dramatic viewpoints can all be used to describe
the Renaissance's spatial arrangement.

IMPORTANCE OF SCALE

Although mostly visual, our perception of space is heavily influenced by our relationship with
scale. Our sense of scale is supplemented by bodily sense, most notably haptic feedback.
According to Alois Regel's (1858-1905) theories and his Aesthetic Model, we experience space
on three different scales: near, middle, and far.

Small/Near

- small/near: we can best understand complex curvilinear geometry at this scale. When we
can take in the entire object, grasp it, rotate it, and so on, we can create a mental map of
the object and understand it much more easily than when we only experience individual
pieces at a time.
Medium/Middle

- Texture and clarity are important if the intent is for the user to understand the spaces or
architecture as a whole. medium/middle: we experience a portion of an object at a time.
Curvilinear forms lose their effectiveness because they extend beyond the scale of the
human body and are impossible to mentally map in their entirety. When understanding
objects in a space from a distance, shading and contrast become important.
Large/Far

- When viewing architectural objects from a distance, the ability to understand them
tactilely fades. The importance of simple forms and color cannot be overstated. Because
we lack the optical dexterity to interpret complex forms, high contrast forms or materials
are essential.

SPATIAL
Spatiality is a term used in architecture to describe characteristics that define the quality of a
space from a specific perspective. In comparison to the term spaciousness, which includes
formal, dimensional determination of size, depth, width, or height, spatiality is a higher category
term. It includes not only formal qualities of space, but also definition, openness, visibility,
expressivity, and so on.

VISUAL

The process of creating digital models of structures, buildings, and spaces using complex
modeling methods and powerful rendering computers is known as architectural visualization.
From virtual reality-enabled tours to highly accurate verified views used to support planning
applications, the field provides architectural and property developers with a plethora of tools and
techniques to play with.

SPATIAL TYPES

SYMMETRY/ASYMMETRY

The effect of monumentality is created by symmetrical spaces. The user is subservient to the
perfect reflection of one space along an axis. Asymmetrical spaces are less monumental by
definition because they allow for more variation and dynamicism and lack a rigid hierarchy.

SCALE, RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE

Scale has different spatial effects depending on whether it is the absolute scale of an object or
space or relative to another. Absolute scale is most effective when the user can experience a
large object and approach it slowly, fully comprehending its vastness. Scale variations work best
in sections. A compelling spatial effect is entering narrow passageways before being led into an
expansive void.

BEARING AND BEING BORNE

Because it is universal, the spatial effect of bearing and being borne is especially effective. It is
universal to all cultures and architectural movements. The constant battle against gravity, the
suspension of an object off the ground, is the essence of architecture or building. The more
simplified this structural relationship becomes, the more fundamental it becomes.

POROSITY

Porosity is the number of voids in a solid. It exists solely in three dimensions and is spatially
significant because it creates varied and interconnected spaces. It softens the sharp distinctions
between space and architectural elements. Porous objects vary in scale and composition, putting
the user at the center of the space or object.

B. Visual or Optical Illusions

VISUAL OR OPTICAL ILLUSION

A percept that is different from what would be typically predicted based on the physical
stimulus. Visual illusion is defined as the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or misled;
an instance of such deception a misleading image presented to the vision; something that
deceives or misleads intellectually; perception of something objectively existing in such a way as
to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature; a pattern capable of reversible perspective.

TYPES OF ILLUSION

PHYSICAL ILLUSION

Physical illusions are optical illusions in which the illusion has occurred due to the physical
properties of the environment and their effects on the behavior of light, essentially occurring
before light hits the retina of the eye. An example of this is the broken pencil illusion like seen in
the picture. The round outside of the glass forces the water into a rounded shape, which acts as
a convex lens. This lens bends the incoming light towards the middle. Here, the light rays meet at
what is called the focal point. Past the focal point, the image is inverted because the light rays
overlap.

PHYSIOLOGICAL VISUAL ILLUSION

Physiological illusions cause a person to see parts of an image that are not actually there. These
images often have multiple copies of the same image or pattern. The repeating pattern of the
image will activate the same pathways of the visual system no matter where the eyes focus. This
overloads the visual system, creating the optical illusion.

An example of this is the Herman Grid Illusion. The image is made of only black boxes and
white lines, but when looking at it, you will likely see faint black dots where the white lines
cross. This illusion takes advantage of the visual system process information for contrasting
colors.

COGNITIVE ILLUSION

Cognitive illusions use a person’s assumptions about the world to create optical illusions. These
illusions do not rely on any kind of biological mechanism. Rather, they defy a person’s
traditional thinking, creating an image that seems to break the rules that we've learned for
physical items. This can be seen in Oscar Reutersvärd’s Penrose Triangle. If you try to follow
one side of this shape, it leads you to all other sides of the shape, making it seem to be incapable
of defining or following. A cognitive illusion is a common thinking error or thinking trap.
Cognitive illusions are endemic in the normal population, where they're usually asymptomatic.

2 TYPES OF COGNITIVE ILLUSIONS:

Distorting illusions - are some of the most common because they happen in everyday life as
well as in geometric/artistic constructions. The photo on the left of the moon illustrates how our
eyes are not equipped to see the true size of the moon, rather it depends on where the moon is in
the sky. When directly overhead, the full moon looks much smaller than when it’s on the
horizon. The psychological reasons behind these phenomena are still being debated.

Paradox illusions - are caused by images that cannot exist in real life, but our minds accept
them, at least at first, to be convincing. The Penrose’s, father Lionel and son Roger, (no relation
to Spencer and Julie Penrose) invented the most famous paradox illusion of the Penrose Stairs.
 C. Monocular Cues to Depth

PERSPECTIVE

Perspective refers to our sensory experience of the world. It is through this experience that we
gain information about the environment around us.

MONOCULAR CUES VS BINOCULAR CUES

 The word “monocular” means “with one eye.” Monocular cues are all the ways that a
single eye helps you see and process what you’re looking at.
 These are the cues that are provided by both the eyes working together. They are
important visual depth cues in three dimensional spaces.

MECHANISM OF BINOCULAR CUES

 Fusion. This is where your brain combines two separate eye images together to make a
single image.
 Retinal disparity. The distance between retinas allows each eye to perceive slightly
different information. This gives you stereoscopic vision, which you use to perceive
depth, shape, and size.

Depth Perception

Depth perception is the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions (3D) and to judge the
distance of objects.

Monocular Cues

The word “monocular” means “with one eye.” Monocular cues are all the ways that a single eye
helps you see and process what you’re looking at.
Monocular cues refer to the ways that each of your eyes takes in visual information that’s used to
judge:

Distance

Depth

Three-dimensional space

Types of Monocular Cue

Relative size - Retinal image size allow us to judge distance based on our past and present
experience and familiarity with similar objects.

Interposition - Interposition cues occur when there is overlapping of objects.

Linear PerSpective - When objects of known distance subtend a smaller and smaller angle, it is
interpreted as being further away.

Aerial Perspective - Relative color of objects gives us some clues to their distance.

Light and Shade - Highlights and shadows can provide information about an object's
dimensions and depth

Monocular Movement Parallax - When our heads move from side to side, objects at different
distances move at a different relative velocity.
 Written Report
In
Architectural Design Theory 1
For

CHAPTER 5: SYSTEMS
a. Environmental Concepts and the Interior
b. Mechanical and Electrical Systems
c. User Requirements Architectural System
d. Handicapped Users
e. Structural and Engineering Concepts
f. Construction Methods and Structure as expression of
Architecture Design

Submitted by: Group 5

Albayda, Louis Andrei
Estrada, Cristine Cassandra
Peña, Jonaliza
Peñaflor, Mark Joseph
Solomon, Rommel
Yamba, Angelo
 Course, Year and Section: BGT AT – 2C
Submitted to: Prof. Mojica, Melvin

A. Environmental Concepts and the Interior

As we all know, our world is now becoming urbanized, which also means access to nature and
green spaces will now decrease. Which may lead to a fundamentally disconnected evolutionary
flow, with many problems (mainly diseases) tightly connected to it. That's why let me tell you
the importance of the environment and sustainability and its impact on our life through interior
design and the places we live in.

But what is environmental sustainability?

When we discuss environmental sustainability, we need to include all parts of our existence,
from eco-comes to the places we get our supplies, renewable energy, environmentally friendly
neighborhoods, low-impact furniture, and even clothing.

Why is environmental sustainability important and needed?

The significance of environmental sustainability has been acknowledged in light of all the harm
that people can do to the environment. We must all look out for one another, just as we must
protect the other living things in our world, the air we breathe, and the rivers and oceans that
serve as our continents' borders.
For a green future and healthy lives in a healthy world, maintaining environmental health is
essential. We must all contribute to protecting our environment as a result.

How environmental sustainability affects social responsibility?

The choice of materials that will be utilized in construction and decoration is the most crucial
factor in saving and healing the world. Due to the necessity for sterilization, materials used in
hospitals and shopping centers should be different. However, it is crucial to choose the materials
that have the greatest potential to reduce waste.
When selecting a sustainable material for a house or a public area, the embodied energy—the
energy required to create the material—is equally crucial. The embodied energy of materials like
concrete, steel, and plastic is more than that of some more organic materials like stone or wood.
The possibility of recycling is crucial in the realm of waste management. Additionally, if more
conventional yet highly sustainable construction methods are desired, the level of harmful gas
emissions (during manufacturing and use) should be taken into consideration. In order to
generate electricity from the plantation, new technology must be developed in order to reduce the
amount of waste produced globally.
Interior settings are where all of a person's needs are made obvious. They are the most private
areas where many negative things we have done to ourselves might impact our physical and
mental well-being.

Environmental Sustainability and Interior Design Elements

The context of human needs and the many varied levels of their satisfaction are factors that
interior design is susceptible to. The interior environment is designed to meet needs for safety,
survival, and raising one's self-esteem. Recent research has demonstrated the necessity of
environmental sustainability and health within our living environments, as well as the duty for
the niche to be included and survive.
This is why using interior design elements is considered to be a sustainable setting. The links
between inequality, poverty, and environmental degradation were acknowledged in the
environmental development and sustainability principles, so the elements of their improvement
were required to support communities and find a path forward for a more equitable world with
less harm to the environment. In order to meet the requirements of the present without sacrificing
the potential of future generations to live in a better world, environment development and
sustainability idea were developed.
The term "environmental sustainability" in interior design refers to the integration of all systems
and materials into one overall purpose (for instance, creating healthy living spaces in buildings),
minimizing adverse effects on the environment and occupants while maximizing favorable
effects on the occupants' health, economic well-being, and social life cycle.

Environmental sustainability in interior design and the Planet

Concerns about environmental sustainability and development include things like whether or not
environmental resources will be safeguarded and maintained for future generations. reducing the
use of nonrenewable resources, organically switching to renewable ones, and avoiding excessive
pollution that harms both our health and the atmosphere of the world. Making economic
decisions with an understanding of the long-term effects and integrating them to target both
economic and social welfare are currently the major challenges.

B. Mechanical and Electrical Systems

MECHANICAL SYSTEM

Any building service that makes use of machines is referred to as a mechanical system.
Plumbing, elevators, escalators, and heating and air-conditioning systems are among them. The
introduction of mechanization in buildings in the early twentieth century resulted in significant
changes; the new equipment required floor space, and the design team began to include electrical
and HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) engineers.

HVAC (HEATING, VENTILATING, AND AIR-CONDITIONING)

HEATING

A heating system is a mechanism that uses thermal energy to keep temperatures within a home,
office, or other dwelling at an acceptable level.

Components of heating process

Conduction - transfer of heat through solid matters.

Convection - transfer of heat through liquid

Radiation - transfer of heat through gas air

TYPES OF HEATING SYSTEM

CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS

A central heating system consists of pipework and radiators that are linked to a boiler. The boiler
generates heat, and the pump transports heated water from the boiler to the radiators and back to
the boiler for reheating. It also supplies hot water to your home's hot taps.

STEAM HEATING

Steam heat systems use boilers, which typically have gas or oil-fired burners, to heat water,
which then turns into steam. The steam is then routed through pipes to radiators or convectors,
which distribute heat to specific rooms.

ELECTRIC HEATING

Electric heating is a process that converts electrical energy to heat exchangers before blowing it
into rooms through vents in the floor, walls, or ceiling.

VENTILATION

is the exchange or replacement of air in any space to provide high indoor air quality Ventilation
removes unpleasant odors and excess moisture, introduces outside air, circulates interior building
air, and prevents interior air stagnation.

TYPES OF VENTILATION

SINGLE SIDED VENTILATION

A space that is primarily ventilated by wind entering one or more openings in a single external
wall is referred to as having single-sided ventilation. When there is little or no wind, windows
with top and bottom openings allow for limited ventilation. Convection currents in the space will
be able to expel warm air through the top opening and draw fresh air in through the bottom
(stack ventilation)

CROSS VENTILATION

Cross ventilation (also known as Wind Effect Ventilation) is a natural cooling method. Wind
forces cool exterior air into the building through an inlet (such as a wall louver, a gable, or an
open window), while an outlet forces warm interior air outside (through a roof vent or higher
window opening).

STACK VENTILATION

Stack ventilation exploits this effect by creating openings in the building envelope at a
significant height, allowing warm, stale air to escape. The negative pressure at the building's top
draws in colder, denser outside air through low-level openings.

AIR CONDITIONING

Air conditioning is the process of removing heat and moisture from the interior of an occupied
space in order to improve occupant comfort. In the broadest sense, air conditioning can refer to
any type of technology that alters the quality of air. Heating, dehumidification, cooling, cleaning,
ventilation, or air movement are all examples of HVAC.

AIR CONDITIONING PROCESS

1. Evaporator – Cooling coils remove heat and humidity from the air using refrigerant.
2. Blower – A blower (or fan) circulates air over the evaporator, or dispersing the chilled
air.
3. Condenser - Hot coils release collected heat into the outside air
4. Compressor – A pump that moves refrigerant between the evaporator and the
condenser to the indoor air.
 5. Fan – A fan blows air over the condenser to dissipate the heat outside.
6. Filter – Located in the air conditioning unit to remove particles from the air.
7. Thermostat – a control system to regulate the amount of cool air that is distributed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A variety of equipment within a building rely on electricity to function. An electrical system is

made up of connections between various equipment that are integrated into the building
structure. A building's electrical system is comprised of numerous devices. Lighting bulbs,
heaters, fans, switches, generators, transformers, electric cables, sockets, batteries, inverters, and
solar panels are examples of devices. The electrical system provides the power required to
illuminate the building both during the day and at night.

BASIC WIRING SYSTEM

Wiring in buildings is either run on the surface or canceled within the structure. Sheeted and
conduit wiring systems are both available for use in buildings.

TYPES OF WIRING

CLEAT WIRING

This wiring method employs a cleat system to secure insulated wires in place and lay them out in
the electrical grid. The cleats are typically made of wood or porcelain and come in two parts that
screw together. The bottom cleat (the one that faces the wall) is grooved to accommodate wiring.

WOODEN CASING, CAPPING WIRING

This wiring is commonly used in house wiring. It is less expensive than lead sheathed and
conduit wiring and is simpler to install.

CONDUIT WIRING
The system of wiring in which all wires or cables from supply to load are passed through iron or
PVC pipes is called a conduit wiring system.

CONDUCTORS

A conductor is a material (usually a metal such as copper) that allows electrical current to pass
easily through. The current is made up of electrons. This is opposed to an insulator which
prevents the flow of electricity through it.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

A vast number of appliances are designed to run on the ordinary domestic supply. The three
basic application of electricity are the production of heat, light and power an in many devices
they are in combination.

DEFECTS IN ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

OPEN CIRCUIT FAULT

The current does not flow whenever a circuit is broken. This is known as an open circuit fault.
This fault is caused by a burned-out element, a broken wire, a loose or open connection, or a
corroded or rusted point.

SHORT CIRCUIT

It is a state in which the supply is connected to the live and neutral wires surrounding a load. The
fuse blows out in such a case. It is caused by insulation failure and a faulty connection.

C. User Requirements Architectural System

User requirements are typically written when discussing the use cases for a project. The
requirements definition is done with the customer or product managers that know how the
embedded system will be used by the user.

Many user requirements deal with how a user will interact with a system and what that user
expects.

Understanding user requirements is an integral part of systems design and is critical to the
success of a system.

D. Handicapped Users

What are handicapped users?

handicapped users are people/person with disabilities, a person with a disability, but in
architecture they use the appropriate word "Accessibility in architecture ".

TYPE OF ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES

• Visual (e.g., color blindness)

• Motor/mobility (e.g., wheelchair-user concerns)

• Auditory (hearing difficulties)

• Seizures (especially photosensitive epilepsy)

ACCESSIBILITY PRINCIPLES

1. Inclusion is better than empathy

2. Accessible design is good design

3. Start with what works

4. If it’s not accessible, it’s not done

5. This is ‘still for everyone’*

EXAMPLE OF ACCESSIBILITY IN ARCHITECTURE

1. Villa T-Extension by OFIS

architects, Ljubljana, Slovenia

2. Hazelwood School by Alan Dunlop

Architect Limited, Glasgow

3. Cachalots House by

Gonzalez Moix Arquitectura, Lima

E. Structural and Engineering Concepts

What is Structure?

the term ‘structure’ refers to anything that is constructed or built from different interrelated parts
with a fixed location on the ground. This includes complete items such as buildings, and parts of
items, such as arches. It can also be used to refer to a body of connected parts that is designed to
bear loads, but is not intended to be occupied by people.

ENGINEERING

Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to solve problems. Engineers figure
out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Scientists and inventors
often get the credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but it is engineers who are
instrumental in making those innovations available to the world.

CONCEPT STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF A BUILDING

Concept design is the first design stage. Feasibility studies and options appraisals that the
consultant team or independent client advisers may have previously carried out do not involve
'design' as such. They are preliminary studies whose purpose is to establish whether the project is
viable, to assist in the development of the project brief and to aid the identification of feasible
options.

The preferred option is then be developed into a concept design which is a response to the
project brief. The project brief will continue to develop as the concept design is prepared, but is
then frozen at the end of the concept design stage and change control procedures are introduced.

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PROPOSAL OF A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Preferred foundation design.

Frame system.

Structural grid with column sizes.

Primary and secondary beam sizes and spans.

Schedules of floor loadings catering for dead and live loads.

Special loads.

Horizontal and vertical expansion joints.

Major openings in floors and structural walls.

Wind bracing elements.

Typical edge details.

Fire protection to the structure.

F. Construction Methods and Structure as expression of Architecture Design

Construction methods and structures as expression of architectural design Construction methods

are the procedures and techniques that are used during the building process.

This considered method will include:

- the symbol method

- the initial target method

- the meta observer method

- the discretization method

- the sign method

- the dwelling method

We also have 5 types of construction methods:

3D volumetric construction

Also known as modular construction, 3D volumetric construction consists of units being

produced in a controlled environment (such as a factory or warehouse) before being transported
to site.

Flat slabs

Flat slab construction involves placing flat slabs of concrete that are placed and reinforced with
concrete columns, and in doing so removing the need for beams. A key benefit of this method is
that it offers flexibility in layout, such as no restrictions on height between floors, and reduces
the time needed for construction.

Timber frames

Timber frame construction uses a range of structural frames that have been made off-site in a
factory, such as external and internal walls, floors and roofs to help form a combined structure
which can be clad in another material such as brick on-site.

Precast panels

Precast panels are where floor and wall units are made off-site and transported to be erected on-
site to form a solid structure which can be ideal for things such as new builds where repetitive
projects are made.
Similar to other pre-prepared methods, this offers speed, accuracy and quality, with factory made
components following a rigid process before being easy to erect on-site. Panels can include
windows, doors and furnishes as well, providing the designer with the flexibility in production.

Concrete walls and floors

Concrete is a highly important material for construction, with its strength, rigidity, fire resistance
and longevity all key aspects of making a solid structure. Concrete floors are usually a flat slab
of concrete which has been either poured in-situ or that has been pre-made and transported to
site. Mixed with rebar, also known as reinforcement steel, it is able to carry heavy loads and
increase overall strength, ideal for ground floors.