The Human Factor in the Architecture Equation

This PhD thesis explores the genuine integration of the human element in architectural practice. Initial research into meta-disciplines such as 'neuroarchitecture', 'human-centric design', and 'cognitive architecture' reveals theoretical similarities but lacks consensus and practical relevance. Two essential factors inherent to the human being are absent from these human-centred approaches: perception and the individual.
The study investigates two constituent elements of architectural practice: the intentions behind the architectural design and the regulatory framework to which practice must conform.
Structured across temporal stages, the innovative methodology combines idiographic and nomothetic approaches to comprehensively explore the relationships between humans, their environments, and urban and architectural regulations. This mixed-methods approach involves large-scale quantitative research through a questionnaire and qualitative field research.
The study is divided into two phases: the first focuses on architects' intentions versus people's perceptions, and the second examines the place of humans in regulations. The research methods include literary and documentary research, unstructured interviews with 41 participants, a pilot-tested questionnaire completed by 221 respondents and field observations in a French social housing estate. In addition, the study and visits to six iconic buildings designed by renowned architects such as Le Corbusier, Barragan, Gehry, Wright, Gaudi, and Kahn provided valuable findings into architectural perceptions.
Addressing biases and perceptual approaches, the thesis stresses recognising human individuality in architectural practice. It advocates for balanced regulations promoting human welfare. The study concludes that 'human-centred' architecture must embrace individual diversity for genuinely humanistic built environments.
The findings expose intricate interactions between humans and their built environment, highlighting disparities between architects' intentions and public perception. These insights underscore the need for a deeper understanding of perceptual factors in architecture, potentially triggering a profound revaluation of the discipline toward universally humanistic architecture.