Architectural Drawings and Symbolic Systems. Implications of Goodman’s and Gardner’s Theoretical Approaches in Project Zero

Abstract

Goodman and Gardner launched Project Zero at the University of Harvard, as part of it the art education programme Arts Propel was later developed. Concepts as notational and non-notational can be a useful tool to classify architects’ varied graphic productions. Goodman’s work has identified cognitive activity as an effort to understand and to create our world; in order to achieve this goal we have adopted symbolic systems. Both science and arts are specific symbol systems. According to Goodman, the aesthetic experience is a cognitive experience. The application of his aesthetic theory enables us to analyse architectural drawings. In addition, it allows us to identify specific skills to solve particular problems, something which Howard Gardner refers to as multiple intelligences. These abilities may be used with an artistic purpose. Part of the findings developed within Project Zero