Over the last decades, digital technology use has transformed our lives, and psychology and neuroscience have begun investigating how technology may impact our brains and behaviors. Digital technology is also transforming architectural practice in all its aspects: ideational, constructive, and managerial. However, this radical transformation is taking place without sufficient critical reflection and systematic investigation. Here, we present the results of a pioneering study aimed at investigating whether and how the use of different tools in the design process may affect its cognitive and emotional aspects. To this end, we asked a group of undergraduate students in architecture to perform a simplified design activity in two different modalities, namely using “2D-3D CAD software” vs. using “only imagery” (within-subjects design). The cognitive and emotional dimensions of the experience were evaluated right after the task by using an ad hoc questionnaire. Expertise with the software and individual differences in psychological dimensions of interest were also assessed. Significant differences were found in various cognitive and emotional dimensions depending on the different conditions. The results suggest that the process of architectural design is sensitive to the tools used, at least in terms of the subjective experiences reported by participants. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Mental imagery and digital media in architectural design process. An experimental study

Buondonno, Linda;Chiorri, Carlo;Giachetta, Andrea
2023-01-01

Abstract

Over the last decades, digital technology use has transformed our lives, and psychology and neuroscience have begun investigating how technology may impact our brains and behaviors. Digital technology is also transforming architectural practice in all its aspects: ideational, constructive, and managerial. However, this radical transformation is taking place without sufficient critical reflection and systematic investigation. Here, we present the results of a pioneering study aimed at investigating whether and how the use of different tools in the design process may affect its cognitive and emotional aspects. To this end, we asked a group of undergraduate students in architecture to perform a simplified design activity in two different modalities, namely using “2D-3D CAD software” vs. using “only imagery” (within-subjects design). The cognitive and emotional dimensions of the experience were evaluated right after the task by using an ad hoc questionnaire. Expertise with the software and individual differences in psychological dimensions of interest were also assessed. Significant differences were found in various cognitive and emotional dimensions depending on the different conditions. The results suggest that the process of architectural design is sensitive to the tools used, at least in terms of the subjective experiences reported by participants. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
2023
9788836182152
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
IDEA23_Buondonno, Vannucci, Chiorri, Giachetta.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Contributo in atti di convegno
Tipologia: Documento in versione editoriale
Dimensione 1.27 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.27 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/1117289
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact