DETECTING TYPES OF PHOBIA IN CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Phobia in its broadest sense is an irrational fear or feeling, created in a person toward an object or a certain situation that might happen around him or in his imagination and it can be related to natural elements such as animals, insects, oceans, fire and heights. Furthermore, it can be related to build environment and manmade spaces or more simply, to architecture. Unfortunately, architects shifted from the standardisation and regularity to creating innovative and irregular spaces that are reflected by the exterior and interior design of the building without having any concern of the negative consequences such as phobias and anxiety disorder among people. Therefore, this paper aims to detect the contemporary design elements and representations that generated types of phobias to the users of projects. To achieve the main aim, this paper will begin by literature review, based on desk research, defining the meaning of phobia, recognising its types and reasons. Then, the paper will highlight the historical background of phobia in architecture, browsing previous readings about the phobia in the contemporary architecture. After that, the research will analyse three case studies that are Roland Messner Museum in South Tyrol of Italy, The Musée des Confluences in Lyon, Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health in Las Vegas. Through the analysis, the research will detect the elements and representations that generated different types of phobias, it can be recognised if the spaces of these three projects targeted to generate phobia on purpose or it was a spontaneous feeling by some users. Another finding can be figured out, a judgment of criticism can determine if these designs were successful through using these thrilling elements or not. In conclusion, a set of contemporary design elements that stimulate phobia for users is defined.