The Dynamics of Delight Architecture and Aesthetics [Paperback]

Rounding off decades of exploration into the various ways in which buildings and urban sequences make an impact on the mind, The Dynamics of Delightemphasizes the qualitative aspects of form and space, providing designers with an analytical framework in which to evaluate projects on an aesthetic level. In laying the foundations for an appreciation of the aesthetic component in architecture, Smith considers the mechanisms which are involved in the aesthetic response and goes on to consider how human perception may be influenced by natural phenomena and draws on chaos theory and biomathematics to illustrate this original argument.

Introduction  Part 1: Amsterdam and the Tiger  1. Laying the Foundations  2. The Roots of Aesthetic Perception  3. The Protean Factor  4. Exploring Harmony  5. From Harmony to Chaos  6. From Nature to Artefacts  7. Intelligent Interventions  8. Unity Versus Diversity  Part 2: The Parthenon and the Sunflower  9. The Deep Structure of Proportion  10. The Numerology of Beauty  11. Developing the Theme  12. Beyond the Portico and Dome  13. Contemporary Variations  14. Architectural Metaphor  15. Second Level Proportion  16. The Limbic Domain  17. Bioclimatic Opportunities  Part 3: The Dynamics of the City  18. The City and Dimensions of Engagement  19. The Rewards of Chance  20. The Street  21. The Square  22. Encounters with Old Gods  23. The Ethical Dimension