Architectural Type as a Cultural Schema and Its Cognitive Use in Architectural Design: An Analysis of the Aga Khan Award Winning Dwellings in Turkey.

摘要

This dissertation examines the relationship between the cognitive concept of cultural schemas and the architectural concept of types, and subsequently investigates the cognitive function of types in the course of architectural design. The concept of type was investigated by previous research mostly in terms of its function in the analysis and the interpretation of architectural products. In terms of its function in the generation of architectural products however, there seems to be a need for further research. On this basis, this research focuses on the generative role of type in architectural design and examines its position in creativity from a cognitive perspective.;By observing architectural types as essential attributes of culture and examining their culturally formed schematic position and cognitive function in architectural design, this study attempts to question 'how we could conceive creativity differently if we consider culture through the use of cultural attributes such as architectural types'. Having such an attempt, it intends to find out in a broader perspective, the possibility that lie in the use of cultural information in architectural design. Examining the cultural, cognitive and creative aspects of the concept of type on this basis, the study sets out to 're-theorize' its position and cognitive function in the course of architectural design in an attempt to find out its role in creative production. In order to observe, analyze and exemplify how types are creatively used in the course of architectural design, it conducts a case study on the Aga Khan Award for Architecture winning dwellings in the context of Turkey.;Altogether, the dissertation develops as an interpretive theoretical inquiry that is supported by case study research, with data collection methods such as theoretical survey, archive search and field study, in an attempt to develop a cultural and cognitive theory of architecture that focuses on the cognitive function of types in architectural design. As a result of the theoretical survey on the position and cognitive function of types in architectural design and the empirical survey on the cases that demonstrates different architectural approaches, where types are creatively used in the course of design, the dissertation supports the proposition that that types have a generative value in architectural design and that the creative act can benefit from them in reaching towards noble and innovative solutions that value continuity in architecture. Through such an examination about the value of types for creative production, this dissertation attempts to contribute to the field by developing the critical perspectives about the nature of architectural design and by broadening the view on creativity in architectural design and education so as to acknowledge the value of prior knowledge and cultural information therein.