The doctoral dissertation is devoted to the subject of scale in architecture, with particular emphasis on the so-called "human scale". The subject of scale was discussed in the context of urban interiors ... więcej

The doctoral dissertation is devoted to the subject of scale in architecture, with particular emphasis on the so-called "human scale". The subject of scale was discussed in the context of urban interiors in multi-family housing estates.
The reason for taking up research in this field was associated with three consecutive observations. First, it can be observed that presently built housing estates are characterised by a much greater urban density than the housing estates built prior to 1989. This fact tends to be seen negatively by both architects and ordinary users, although opinions do differ on the matter. In architectural discourse, the subject of development density, the size of buildings and spaces between them is predominantly associated with scale, which tends to be defined as either "good" or "bad". The notion of "human scale" is used, which buildings and urban layouts can either possess or not possess. The second observation is associated with these terms. The initial investigation that preceded starting work on the dissertation showed that the manner in which we understand the terms "scale in architecture", and "human scale" specifically, is not uniform, which observably complicates discourse and hinders the ability to formulate scientifically objective diagnoses referring to the scale of development. The consequence of this is the third observation, in light of which there is an observable insufficiency in terms of objective criteria that can be of aid in identifying when the scale of buildings and urban layouts is appropriate and when it is not. It appears particularly difficult to justify whether or not a given complex possesses the expected "human scale".
With the problem being outlined as above, two research questions were defined in the work: "What is the human scale?", and "Can characteristics of multi-family housing complexes that affect the retention of human scale be defined?".
The work is divided into five parts: "Introduction" (I), "Analysis" (IIA), "Synthesis"(IIB), "Experiment report" (III) and "Conclusions" (IV).
Parts IIA and IIB ("Analysis" and "Synthesis") constitute the work's theoretical segment and are an attempt at systematising available knowledge concerning the terms "scale in architecture" and "human scale" in the context of the work's research questions.
Part IIA ("Analysis") features an overview of selected texts, primarily from the field of the theory of architecture and urban planning and referring to the three problem areas considered essential. These are: scale theory, human needs in the environment of an urban interior and urban interior morphology.
In part IIB ("Synthesis"), the previously collected information was systematised in relation to the work's research questions.
To answer the question "What is human scale?", a chronological typology of findings from the field of scale theory was presented. This form of the listing's organisation provides an image of the layering of ideas and gradually shapes our understanding of how scale was and is understood in architecture. Passages concerning attempts at defining the terms "scale" and "human scale" that had been found in literature were also listed. The conclusion formulated on the basis of these findings was an original definition of "human scale", logically based on P. Boudon's metadefinition of scale.
In response to the question "Can characteristics of multi-family housing complexes that affect the retention of human scale be defined?", a typology of variables concerning the physical spaces of interiors was presented, which, as it appears, are co-responsible for experiencing good scale in architecture. These variables, described as "scale component characteristics", constitute a proposal of a logical organisation of selected spatial conditions with man's needs in an urban interior and so-called "cardinal characteristics of architectural space" (shape , size and substance ). An order of importance can be defined for these variables, based on A. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory.
In part III of the dissertation, a report on an original experiment was presented, in which a selected scale component characteristic was analysed in terms of the possibility of being parameterised. For the purposes of the experiment, the characteristic described as the so-called interior vertical enclosure ratio, expressed through the SVF coefficient (Sky View Factor) used in urban planning, was selected. Measurements were performed during field and laboratory research, using virtual models. The overarching objective, which was partially met in the study, was an attempt at verifying how this ratio is altered relative to changes in the SVF parameter. The experiment was planned and carried out in the years 2014–2016.
The measurement method that had been developed turned out to be adequate in reference to the stated objectives, although it requires further development. A range of conclusions was formulated as a part of the experiment, concerning the relationship between the feeling of being enclosed in an urban interior and the physical form of this interior. These conclusions can constitute a basis for further research concerning the perception of urban interiors.