Aesthetic preferences of laypersons and its relationship with the conceptual properties on building façade design

Abstract

This article investigates the differences in aesthetic preferences on external facades on non-architects. A combination of a card sorting technique, a semi-structured interview, and a Mind sketching technique is employed. Data analysis was carried out using the qualitative techniques of content analysis. Findings reveal that non-architects were able to identify what they like and dislike regarding their preferences on façade designs. It reveals that among the conceptual properties, Originality Meaningfulness, Clarity, Simplicity were the most used properties by non-architects. However, non-architects’ aesthetic preferences and their suggestions for change to the given facades were found to be inconsistent. It can be concluded that involving potential users in the architectural process must be assisted by a design professional.

Keywords

• aesthetic perception
• architectural design process
• cognitive properties
• residential façade design
• user participation