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discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235969474

2005-Summary AiU ENG

Dataset March 2013

READS

385

2 authors:
Theo J M Van der Voordt

H.B.R. Van Wegen

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology

482 PUBLICATIONS 531 CITATIONS

78 PUBLICATIONS 70 CITATIONS

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Available from: Theo J M Van der Voordt

Retrieved on: 28 April 2016

dr. Theo JM van der Voordt

dr. Herman BR van Wegen
The Architectural Press,
an imprint of Elsevier.
ISBN: 0-7506-6457-6
Price: 21.99.

Architecture in Use

An introduction to the programming, design and evaluation of buildings

Good architecture has both a high experience and a high utility value. The book Architecture in
Use. An introduction to the programming, design and evaluation of buildings shows how the
term quality of use can be given physical form in the design of buildings. It describes the
functions of a building and relates the functional quality to the architectural quality.

The authors want to make clear to the reader that architecture is far more than just the
language of shapes, colours and materials, beauty and emotion, or originality and meaning.
Architectural design is a search for a careful synthesis of function, form and technology, within
constraints as time, money and regulations.
Starting by looking at how the relationship between form and function has been dealt with by
different approaches to architecture from a historical perspective, it goes on to discuss how the
desired functional quality and utility value of a building can be expressed in a brief and given a
physical form by the architect. Finally, it advises on how to carry out post-occupancy evaluation
and provides the architect with methods and techniques for testing whether the intended utility
value of a building has been achieved.
The final chapter discusses a number of utility qualities, including: accessibility, functionalism,
privacy and contact, flexibility and sustainability. For each term, the authors explain its
meaning, how it can be applied in architecture and what literature is relevant to the topic.
The book provides a link between theoretical knowledge and the practice of architecture and is
richly illustrated with both domestic and international examples. This makes it suitable for use
as educational material in architectural education institutes, but also for use by advisors,
designers and building managers. They can make use of generally acknowledged quality
standards for a good brief, an appealing design and adequate building management.
Dr. Theo JM van der Voordt is associate professor at the Department of Real Estate & Housing
of the Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. Dr. Herman BR
van Wegen is a former senior Researcher and Lecturer at this Faculty. Both are specialized in
building-in-use studies and the application of research data in briefing and design.
For more information please visit the Architectural Press website, www.architecturalpress.com.
Note for the press
For more information on this subject or a review copy, please contact
Dr. Theo JM van der Voordt, Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology
Tel.+31 15 278 2974, or +31 15 278 4159 (secretariat), e-mail
D.J.M.vanderVoordt@bk.tudelft.nl.