The physical environment can measurably affect behavior and psychological well-being. This is critical in the case of older persons who are more environmentally vulnerable than the young due to limited financial resources and decreased mobility. A group of 91 olderly residents in multi-story private and public housing participated in this study.…

The purpose of this project was to research and develop two design guides on environments important to child development: child care facilities and outdoor play areas, and to specify new, research-based criteria for the planning and design of these facilities for military bases around the world. The current paper is a synopsis of parts of this…

This bibliography and paper provide a brief overview of empirical studies that attempt to apply the insights of modern psychology to architecture. Items are discussed under headings of scientific research, methodology, perceptual studies, the use of space, interpersonal distance, personality development, learning, decision-related research, and…

A review of the development of energy standards legislation in building design and the positions emerging in response to the proposed performance standards. (Author)

At the University of Southern California solar-access design research project, Barry Knowles and students have devised a solar envelope: the largest volumetric container over a land parcel that allows solar access to all adjacent neighbors within useful time constraints. (Author/MLF)

Assesses the utility of a control-based analysis of crowding by examining the relationship between prolonged exposure to architecturally mediated social density and motivational deficits characteristic of learned helplessness. Subjects were 120 freshmen residents of long- and short-corridor dormitories. (MP)

Questions "community architecture" as not being a discrete and homogeneous set of images about activities and products. Differentiates between the distinct, and possibly contradictory, approaches to architecture taken by Prince Charles of Great Britain and Rod Hackney. (TW)

Describes the basic essentials of the system approach and its influence on organization theory. Analyzes six case studies according to difficulties arising from variations in the coordination and control of building projects. (Author/MLF)

The environment in a college dormitory was used to determine factors affecting perceptions of size and crowdedness. Factors that were tested were usable space, visual space, and amount of sunlight. Results confirmed that physical factors other than actual room size do influence perceived size and crowdedness. Implications for architectural design…

Studio teaching takes place in a tradition-rich, complex setting where teachers fill myriad roles with diverse students. In this paper, which was drawn from a larger research program, illustrative findings about three aspects of architecture studio teaching are analyzed from the perspective of the existing literature on teaching and teachers'…

Citizen involvement in the decisionmaking process affecting the traditions and physical form of their community is an excellent resource for planners and architects. Outlines steps for citizen involvement. (Author/MLF)

Architects and designers need to discover ways to work with management-users in determining the design and character of a working office. (Author/MLF)

The utility of a particular citizen participation planning approach as applied to educational facilities planning is described. With the aid of a clear-cut decisionmaking procedure, citizens could participate effectively in the development of specific planning policy statements. Such statements could be used to discuss planning priorities, focus…

In the first part of an interview, internationally famous engineer Fred Dubin talks of a full range of opportunities to conserve energy with passive design. (Author/MLF)

A leading passive solar heating expert advocates more extensive uses, outlines various familiar approaches, and evaluates many existing built examples. (Author/MLF)