Research on the necessity and rhythmanalysis mechanism of activities and events in development of architectural knowledge (Case study: School architecture)

Abstract

Human life is full of various and frequent activities and events, occurring in time and space with different rhythms. This description of human "life" emphasizes the crucial role of rhythmanalysis for architects and urban designers, who’s creative job is to organize and pattern their "living" built environment.In the present article, while exploring rhythms of everyday life, designers' attention is drawn to the importance and necessity of recognizing these rhythms in development of architectural design knowledge. Therefore, first, an overall view of the day to day life rhythms in architectural spaces is presented, using logical reasoning and based on the research precedents. This overall view shows a hierarchy of rhythms in space, from natural rhythms to human-based ones including biological, personal, socio-cultural and physical-spatial rhythms.In order to corroborate the necessity as well as the mechanisms of rhythmanalysis, an educational complex was selected for a case study, in which non-interfering close observations, in-depth interviews, and qualitative content analysis, were applied, as methods of inquiry.The results indicate that in many spaces, more than one activity and event occurs. Thus, users have to constantly change the furniture in each space, or move from one space to another, to be able to accomplish their intended activities and/or to provide suitable venues for events to take place. The results also connote that it is not sufficient to draw merely upon established design standards, but also the frequency of activities and events in time and space must be taken into account.

Keywords

• rhythm
• activity and event
• place
• design knowledge