Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1995

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Architecture

Major Professor

Alton J. De Long

Committee Members

Millend Gupta, Virginia Kupritz, Michael Ware

Abstract

This study examines the use of scale models as an alternative to two-dimensional drawings to communicate spatial relationships in an attempt to improve the level of understanding by laypeople. Doll-house type three-dimensional scale models involve tactile and kinesthetic sensory modalities through direct manipulation of the components and scale figures. The scale model may also allow the aspects of design programming that deal with implicit, out-of-awareness knowledge which is frequently unexplored to become more apparent. If laypeople can develop more accurate cognitive representations of three-dimensional relationships through the use of scale models, some of the communication problems between designers and users may be eliminated. Subjects were given two basic tasks separated by a latency period to determine if scale models permit users to more accurately comprehend and evaluate spatial relationships than two-dimensional drawings relative to the full size environment. The media tested include two-dimensional drawings, two-dimensional drawings with figures, and scale models with figures. The drawing representations were scaled at 1/4" = 1’ - 0" and the scale model representations were scaled at 1" = 1’ - 0". The subjects were asked to arrange furniture in the drawing and the model environments based on familiar activities and were then asked to create the same relationships in the full size environment. The spacing in the drawing and scale model environments were compared to the spacing in the full size environment. Results indicate that while all media tested have statistically significant correlations between the measurements in the representational medium and the full size environment, the drawing without figure reflects a significant difference in the measurements. Additional analyses on the ratio values of the measurements suggest that the type of representation employed may result in specific spacing trends when compared to the full size environment. The spacing ratios in the scale model environments differ significantly from the drawing with and without the scale figure. Results show that the scale model allows people with no design training to define spatial relationships more accurately than drawings. Findings also suggest that drawings with figures may have a potential impact on the definition and comprehension of three dimensional relationships by creating a kinesthetic component to the drawing environment.

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