Environmental Design Research
-Focuses on theories of the interaction between humans and their environment -Rational design based on scientific research rather than anecdotal evidence or personal philosophy
Evidence-Based Design
-Basing design decisions on credible research that links one or more environmental elements with a desired outcome Ex: research has shown that when patients in hospitals have visual and physical access to nature, they recover faster, have less stress, and require less pain medication
Functionalism
-Places emphasis on providing simple, rational solutions to design problems with out extraneous decoration -Best represented by modernism of early 20th Century (nurtured by the Bauhaus school of design), where interiors were reduced to what was required to meet strict functional needs without necessary decoration
Gestalt Psychology
Grouping
Ex: Proximity, Similarity, Direction, and Context
Proximity
-Objects closest together are seen as belonging together

Similarity
-Brain groups objects of similar shape, size, or color together

Direction
-Objects perceived to be moving simultaneously in the same direction are seen as a group

Context
-Objects are grouped bases on context or past experience, one of the main tenets of Gestalt psychology

Closure

Continuity
-Tencency to see a line or shape as continuing in a particualr direction rather than making a sharp turn

Simplicity

Fire-Ground

Perceptual Constancy
Shape, Size, Lightness, and Color Consistency
-People percieve shape, size, light, or color as their original form regardless of point of view, distance, brightness, or lighting
Binocular Disparity
Interposition
A distant object may appear to be overlapped and partly hidden by closer object
Linear Perspective
Parallel lines will appear to recede towards a single point in the distance
Atmospheric Perspective
Because there are small particles in the air, more distant objects may appear to be hazy and may even change in color
Texture Perspective
Size Clues
-When two objects are the same size, the more distanct one will make a smaller image on the retina than the closer one
Relative Closeness of Objects to the Horizon Line
For objects below the horizon line the closer the objects are to the horizon line the farther away the are.
Cue Inconsistency and Cooperation of the Senses
-Reception from each sense is usd as a cue to provide a message about the environment
Ex: Restaurant with smell of cleaning compound instead of food
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
-Deficiency needs vs Growth needs
Deficiency needs
Level 1- Food, water, minimal bodily comforts
Level 2- Safety, protection
Level 3- Belonging and love