UMI  
ProQuest® Dissertations & Theses
The world's most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses. Learn more...
ProQuest  
 
 
Design intelligences: A case for multiple intelligences in architectural design
by D'souza, Newton S., PhD, THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE, 2006, 0 pages; 3244148
 

Abstract: This dissertation explores the utility of multiple intelligence theory in architectural pedagogy, proposed by cognitive psychologist and educationist Howard Gardner. By assuming that students' skills are broadly homogenous and that the experience of studio system affects all students in a similar manner, architecture schools tend to privilege a narrow section of students with limited skill sets. Gardner contends that the current education system needs to foster multiple intelligences (that include interpersonal, kinesthetic, musical and so on) which are currently ignored. Hence, multiple intelligences intelligences as an explicit pedagogical tool is proposed in this dissertation to help instructors and students value diversity in design thought, empathize with the variations of individual strengths, and implement more inclusive teaching tools in studio settings. There are three main contributions of the project: first, to develop appropriate methods for measuring multiple abilities in architecture; second, to identify not only domain-specific intelligences but also task-specific intelligences as diagnostic tools for architectural design; and third, to explore implications of design intelligences to prevailing design pedagogy, studio models, practice, and cognitive intelligence theories. Participants of the study included approximately 100 students in the second year studio of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, UWM. A mixed method was used consisting of a quantitative survey to measure architectural domain-specific intelligences, and a qualitative protocol study to assess task-specific intelligences. The study is conducted in the context of three studio projects so that relationships between intelligences and architectural tasks could be explored. The findings indicate that architecture students excel in spatial and intrapersonal intelligences. Spatial, natural and logical intelligences were given the most importance in the studio and no single intelligence predicted studio success. Rather an overall consistency in most intelligences is desired. Other intelligences also surfaced as important to architectural design. These include personal intelligences (intrapersonal and interpersonal), kinesthetic intelligence along with a new intelligence called the eye-mind-hand coordination scale. Because, several intelligences are involved in architectural design a loose-fit definition of architectural intelligences is proposed. The study also revealed three groups of students, based on how they applied their multiple intelligences: the broad and rigid designers, the narrow and rigid designers and the broad and adaptive designers. The final scale that emerged out of this dissertation is called Architectural Design Intelligence Assessment Scale (ADIAS) to form a diagnostic tool in architectural pedagogy, admissions and practice. It comprises nine domain-specific intelligences (93 items) and seven task-specific intelligences (21 items) that could be used by design instructors, students or practitioners to measure multiple intelligences.

 
Advisor: Weisman, Gerald
School: THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE
Source: DAI-A 67/12, p. 4365, Jun 2007
Source Type: PhD
Subjects: Art education; Educational psychology; Psychological tests; Architecture
Publication Number: 3244148
     
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3244148
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

 
 
 

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.il.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.



Copyright © 2007 ProQuest. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions

ProQuest