Rethinking the evolution of intellectual systems of architectural aesthetics based on anthropocentric approach

Accepting architectural aesthetics in the form of human-centered approaches is a field that has not received sufficient attention to identify it in terms of theorical content. There has always been bewilderment at answering which theorical model of architectural aesthetics is more comprehensive from this perspective because this qualitative concept has remained vague. Therefore, the question that is raised is that which paradigms have been formed in architectural aesthetics based on anthropocentrism so far? What factors have been the basis of value judgments and evaluation of the views? And what stance have present theoretical models in architectural aesthetics taken regarding the subject of human? Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to examine the history of stances taken by architectural aesthetics regarding the different dimensions of human existence. Accordingly, this qualitative and descriptive-analytical study focuses on typology and comparative study of different approaches of aesthetics with an interpretative view. The significance of identifying human-oriented views arises from the fact that rereading the ideas of aesthetics, which are basically related to human existence, enables us to return to theoretical stances to the subject of environmental perception and development. The results of the study showed that each of the dominant theoretical views from the beginning until now (classic, modern, postmodern) have addressed one or a few of interrelated dimensions of architectural aesthetics from the perspective of human. However, present theoretical paradigm holds the concept of “embodied experience” as the central characteristic of pleasure in architecture. In this view, the basis of aesthetic experience is experimental perception with a satisfactory quality which is achieved through active interaction between objectivity and subjective images of human and space. Moreover, the emotional influence of “embodied perception” values human awareness of architectural work.