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Abstract:
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EDUCATIONAL IDEALS VS . ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION : THE GENESIS OF BUILDING EXCELLENCE
Brenda Sisco Vaughan , Ph .D .
The University of Texas at Austin , 2011
Supervisor : William F . Lasher
How education is articulated , understood or comprehended , in the vocabulary (i .e . the expressive techniques or devices ) of architecture provokes a certain fascination and intrigue for those interested in methods of pedagogy and cognition at institutions of higher education . This research entered the discussion about architectural expression in the university setting with a focus on the educational aspects in the programming , planning , and design of new buildings on campus . Educational ideals refer to concepts of perfection or models of excellence at institutions of higher education . Architectural expression refers to design or the determination of form which includes every aspect of every quality of a building (size , shape , materials , texture , color , ornamentation , etc . ) , while supporting the function and intended use of the building .
This research examined the processes by which educational ideals translate into architectural expression . Analyses of the processes or systems used in planning and designing new buildings provided data to understand influences on the system . Qualitative data were analyzed in this study from a systems point of view utilizing Interactive Qualitative Analysis , IQA methodology . Following IQA protocol , the problem of how educational ideals translate into architectural expression produced and named the factors (affinities ) influencing the processes on university campuses ; identified relationships between these factors in cause -and -effect terms ; provided the forum to compare and contrast similarities and differences in the systems ; and identified similarities and differences in the processes utilized in planning and designing new buildings at private vs . public institutions .
In this study , focus groups of higher education administrators and professional architects explored the case study of The University of Texas at Austin . After the data were analyzed , a theoretical model was produced to explore the case study of Rice University . Research synthesis provides information , guidance , and recommendations for educational administrators and professional architects in leadership and decision -making roles guiding the direction of new building projects on campuses . |