Short answer
Incorporate a recursive evaluation of spatial quality throughout the design process, ensuring that individual elements, their relationships, and the overall context contribute to a unified sense of 'goodness' and sustainability.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Sustainability (2019)
- Method
- Theoretical framework development and conceptual modelling
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A space is objectively 'good' and sustainable if its constituent parts, its immediate surroundings, and the larger context it belongs to are also 'good'. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Sustainability. Using Theoretical framework development and conceptual modelling, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate a recursive evaluation of spatial quality throughout the design process, ensuring that individual elements, their relationships, and the overall context contribute to a unified sense of 'goodness' and sustainability.
Recursive wholeness defines objectively 'good' spaces for sustainable design
A space is objectively 'good' and sustainable if its constituent parts, its immediate surroundings, and the larger context it belongs to are also 'good'.
Sustainability · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Wholeness can be mathematically modelled to define spatial goodness.
- 02A recursive definition of goodness links a space's quality to its constituent and contextual elements.
- 03Spatial goodness is presented as a measurable attribute, directly correlating with sustainability.
Application
Design takeaway
Incorporate a recursive evaluation of spatial quality throughout the design process, ensuring that individual elements, their relationships, and the overall context contribute to a unified sense of 'goodness' and sustainability.
How to apply
When designing a building, consider not only the quality of individual rooms but also how they connect, the quality of the building's relationship to its site, and the site's relationship to the surrounding urban fabric.
Project actions
- 01When evaluating your design, ask: 'Is this component good on its own? Does it fit well with its neighbours? Does it contribute positively to the overall project?'
- 02Consider how your design interacts with its environment at multiple scales.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a novel, mathematical approach to defining spatial quality.
- +Connects spatial design directly to sustainability through a quantifiable metric.
Limitations
The mathematical complexity of the model might be challenging to fully implement in a typical design project; defining the initial 'goodness' of fundamental elements can still involve subjective judgment.
Reliability & validity
The validity of the model rests on its ability to consistently predict or align with expert consensus on 'good' spaces. Reliability would be tested by having multiple analysts apply the model to the same spaces and comparing their results.
Think critically
To what extent can 'goodness' be truly objective when the initial assessment of fundamental components may still be influenced by cultural or personal biases?
Design Principles
"The goodness of a design is recursively defined by the goodness of its constituent parts, its immediate context, and its larger environment."
This research offers a quantifiable framework for evaluating the inherent quality and sustainability of spatial designs, moving beyond subjective aesthetic preferences. It provides designers with a systematic approach to creating environments that are not only functional but also possess a deep, intrinsic quality that fosters well-being and ecological balance.
What This Means for Your Design
Think of a good room as being part of a good house, which is part of a good neighbourhood. If all these levels are good, the room is more likely to be good too. This idea helps make designs that are better for people and the planet.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when discussing the theoretical underpinnings of your design choices, particularly concerning spatial quality, wholeness, and sustainability.
- 2.Use the recursive definition as a framework for evaluating the success of your design solutions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The concept of 'wholeness' as a recursive definition of spatial goodness, as proposed by Jiang (2019), offers a valuable lens for evaluating design projects. This framework suggests that a space's quality and sustainability are objectively determined by the goodness of its constituent parts, its immediate adjacencies, and the larger context it inhabits. Applying this principle ensures a holistic approach, moving beyond isolated elements to create integrated and inherently positive environments.
Source
Sustainability
A Recursive Definition of Goodness of Space for Bridging the Concepts of Space and Place for Sustainability
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about recursive wholeness defines objectively 'good' spaces for sustainable design?
- Incorporate a recursive evaluation of spatial quality throughout the design process, ensuring that individual elements, their relationships, and the overall context contribute to a unified sense of 'goodness' and sustainability. Evidence: Sustainability (2019).
- Why does "Recursive wholeness defines objectively 'good' spaces for sustainable design" matter for design?
- This research offers a quantifiable framework for evaluating the inherent quality and sustainability of spatial designs, moving beyond subjective aesthetic preferences. It provides designers with a systematic approach to creating environments that are not only functional but also possess a deep, intrinsic quality that fosters well-being and ecological balance.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Incorporate a recursive evaluation of spatial quality throughout the design process, ensuring that individual elements, their relationships, and the overall context contribute to a unified sense of 'goodness' and sustainability.
- What were the main findings?
- Wholeness can be mathematically modelled to define spatial goodness.. A recursive definition of goodness links a space's quality to its constituent and contextual elements.. Spatial goodness is presented as a measurable attribute, directly correlating with sustainability.
- What research method was used?
- Theoretical framework development and conceptual modelling.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a building, consider not only the quality of individual rooms but also how they connect, the quality of the building's relationship to its site, and the site's relationship to the surrounding urban fabric.
- What are the limitations?
- The practical application of the mathematical model may require specialized tools or expertise; the definition of 'goodness' within the recursive structure might still have subjective interpretations at the foundational level.