Atkin, B (1993) Stereotypes and themes in building designs: Insights for model builders. Construction Management and Economics, 11(2), pp. 119-130. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The use of information by designers is reviewed and design decision-making examined. A stereotyping trait in the work of designers is tested for significance in a sample of 40 office buildings. The survey reveals the frequency with which design options occur, suggesting that some may be dominant. Analysis of the patterns of occurrence of these design options highlights clusters of similar buildings, that is themes and variations on the themes, confirming a stereotyping trait. The existence of stereotypes or themes in design is felt to be of interest to model builders and users, insofar as it might help them in better defining potential solution spaces to problems of design cost evaluation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cluster analysis; combinatorial processes; decision-making; design; modelling |
| Index terms: | decision-making, variation, cluster analysis, design decision, survey, builder, option, modelling, building design, stereotype, designer, office building, design cost |
| Subjects: | sociology, decision analysis, economics, design practice, contractual condition, analytical methods, architectural design, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, profession, construction type, practitioner |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Construction Technology, Cost Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here