851-0252-03L  Cognition in Architecture - Designing Orientation and Navigation for Building Users

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersV. Schinazi, B. Emo Nax, C. Hölscher
Periodicityevery semester recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentNumber of participants limited to 40.

Particularly suitable for students of D-ARCH



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0252-03 SCognition in Architecture - Designing Orientation and Navigation for Building Users2 hrs
Mon17:15-19:00IFW C 33 »
V. Schinazi, B. Emo Nax, C. Hölscher

Catalogue data

AbstractHow can behavioral and cognitive science inform architecture? This project-oriented seminar investigates contributions of cognitive science to architectural design with an emphasis on orientation and navigation in complex buildings and urban settings. It includes theories on spatial memory and decision-making as well as hands-on observations of behavior in real and virtual reality.
ObjectiveTaking the perspectives of building users (occupants and visitors) is vital for a human-centered design approach. Students will learn about relevant theory and methods in cognitive science and environmental psychology that can be used to understand human behavior in built environments. The foundations of environmental psychology and human spatial cognition will be introduced. A focus of the seminar will be on how people perceive their surroundings, how they orient in a building, how they memorize the environment and how they find their way from A to B. Students will also learn about a range of methods including real-world observation, virtual reality experiments, eye-tracking and behavior simulation for design. Students will reflect on the roles of designers and other stakeholders with respect to human-centered design and an evidence-based design perspective. The seminar is geared towards a mix of students from architecture / planning, engineering, computer science and behavioral science as well as anybody interested in the relation between design and cognition. Architecture students can obtain course credit in "Vertiefungsfach" or "Wahlfach"

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersC. Hölscher, B. Emo Nax, V. Schinazi
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Places40 at the most
Waiting listuntil 10.09.2016

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Architecture MasterSociology / EconomyWInformation
Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political SciencesDoctoral and Post-Doctoral CoursesWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveD-ARCHWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectivePsychology, PedagogicsWInformation