Aesthetic evaluation : a comparison of architects & non-architects

Abstract

Through a survey that was carried out in Wellington the aesthetic evaluations of buildings, by architects and non-architects, have been compared to find areas of difference and similarity. The report is divided into 5 main sections. 1. Introduction: Aesthetics and Aesthetic Evaluation are introduced together with a summary of past research in the field. 2. Methodology: The research method is outlined and the issues surrounding the production of the survey are discussed. 3. Results: A statement of the results of the survey. 4. Discussion: The survey results are discussed with possible explanations by relation to literature on Aesthetics and Architectural Psychology. 5. Conclusion: The findings are summarised and ramifications of the differences between the groups are outlined. The differences in aesthetic evaluation between architects and non-architects arise from the differing ways that the groups learn about architecture and the 'culture' of the groups. The appreciation of aesthetics cannot be studied in isolation but must be considered in the wider context of experience.