Taste of Architectural Space in Real Estate Development: Review the concept of an emerging phenomenon

Abstract

Taste can be identified as a highly personalized part of one’s life. It is perceived in various ways by different people depending on their socio-cultural and economic backgrounds. The main objective of the study is to identify the influence of socio-cultural and economic factors on formation of the architectural taste, and thereby to construct a relationship between such specific factors and architectural taste in the built environment with reference to Real Estate Development. The methodology adopted for the study is a comprehensive review of exiting literature of secondary sources. . A combination of statistical data and qualitative insights from studies already conducted on aesthetic judgement and user perception was applied. Conclusions were developed through scrutinizing and critically analysing the gathered data and information. Several factors were identified as highly influential on architectural taste: socio-cultural factors such as social class, religion, education, occupation and place of residence; demographical factors such as sex and age, and economic factors such as financial status, supply and demand related issues. The key aesthetic properties linked to the judgement of taste in architectural space were Formal Aesthetics and Symbolic Aesthetics. The specific architectural characteristics considered in built-environment are Openness-Enclosure, Complexity/Visual Richness, Order/Unity, Nature, Scale, Proportion, Colour, Light, Function and Cleanliness. Based on the main findings of this study, it can be recommended that architects and policy makers should consider above socio-cultural, economic factors to achieve residential satisfaction when constructing and managing Real Estate Development.