A meta-analytical attitude to the form–function relation in architecture using the concept of creativity

Abstract

Architecture is an impressive area in human life, with the nature that returns to the design process in any way. Generally, the design is a motivated effort to satisfy human needs, which focuses on two main elements, form and function, in macroscale view of architecture. It is expanded that the relation between forms and their functions is the matter always considered due to the architectural essence. Accordingly, the main aim of this research is analyzing this relation and identifying its affecting factors based on recognizing the levels of human existence, as the user of architectural products. Therefore, this research was conducted by a qualitative content analysis, including the comparative–interpretative approach to identify key variables existing in related theoretical context and describe their connections, in terms of methodology. Regarding this, we tried to redefine the relationship between these two concepts (form and function) with a logical reasoning. Since the analytical investigation of our research was developed based on the previous theoreticians’ analytical processes, it could be considered as a qualitative meta-analysis study focusing on the related anthropological and psychological dimensions. According to the content proximity of the design and creativity natures, particularly in art and architecture, applying the concept of creativity to explain the form–function relation seems to be logical. Finally, a comprehensive conceptual model and associated manifest were presented that covers all of the studied theories in this regard.

Keywords

• architectural design
• creativity
• form–function relation
• environmental psychology
• levels of human existence