Typology and Comparative Analysis of Research Approaches to Aesthetics of Architecture

Problem statement:

 Since the 1970s, aesthetic aspects and principles mainly have been developing based on different theoretical and empirical views, which has changed researchers’ insights into previous general principles. Therefore, research focus on various areas of theoretical problems in aesthetics resulted in the emergence of new attitudes towards the appraisal aspects of architectural works. Nevertheless, there is a weak consensus on theoretical and conceptual frameworks in this regard, and there are still controversial issues in many areas. Hence, two questions might arise. What are the main categories of contemporary studies in the aesthetics of architecture? What evaluation criteria have been used for the aesthetic analysis of approaches?

Considering different aspects, this study focuses on typology and comparative analysis of relevant approaches. The importance of knowing these approaches lies in the fact that research into the aesthetic ideas, which are basically related to the cultural existence of humans, can restore theoretical aspects to practical processes of creativity and provide the foundation for environmental perception and further developments.

In this qualitative study, a descriptive method was used followed by a qualitative content analysis through a comparative-interpretive approach to identify the main variables in the methodology of prominent and reputable scientific studies. Logical reasoning was then employed to analyze and compare their insight principles and explanatory results accurately.

All environmental aspects, such as desirability and human well-being promotion are included due to the necessity of developing methodological disciplines for evaluations based on human “experiences” of the environment. Research attitudes must address studies of aesthetics through anthropocentric approaches by considering multiple and dynamic perceptions within the context of an environmental, active, cooperative, and empirical discourse. In fact, the concept of aesthetics in architecture requires the identification of in-depth insight into aesthetic perception from “perceptive human experience”.