Analyzing the Approach and Memory in the Developmental Process of Space Making Using 1:10 Scale Blocks

Abstract

In this research, we attempt to highlight the differences between specialists and non-specialists in their overall approach and memory skills by comparing their ‘micro acts' patterns, as they are constructing ‘models' using 1:10 scale LEGO(r) blocks. By focusing on 50 subjects (with and without architectural backgrounds), we observed and identified different patterns of combination and various transitional stages in their ‘main micro acts' (attach act, detach act and pause act) during the construction of models under the proposed brief. On the contrary to our first hypothesis, although subjects with architectural background applied more disrupted micro acts patterns during construction, it does not necessarily mean that they would replicate the required task as ‘fluently' as other subjects with no architectural background. We noticed that a portion of the specialists who engaged the tasks more carefully initially also displayed some form of difficulties when attempting to replicate the models in the second trial. In contrast, there are a number of non-specialists who remembered better than their specialist counterparts, thus questioning the implications of ‘subconscious playing' and ‘conscious constructing'. © 2006, Architectural Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.