THE IMAGE OF FORM IN PREFABRICATED HOUSES : Study on the iconology of form in Japanese contemporary houses

Abstract

The aim of this report is to clarify the imaginary system which can be seen in the outside form of 'SHOHINKA-JUTAKU' : prefabricated housing designed and built for sale by some housing manufacturers. Through this analysis parts of the iconological character which are contained in the outward form of architecture can be made clear. 'SHOHINKA-JUTAKU' is recently regarded as one of the most familiar and vernacular house-types in Japanese contemporary society. According to our previous reports, outward shapes of this type directly reflect the general public's desires relative to house-form more than other types such as those designed by some architects. The subject of this report is based on an opinion survey which we call 'Image-Research of Architecture 1985' and observes various images derived from the outward shape of some prefabricated houses. From the results of this survey, some basic stereotypical shapes were extracted using the factor analysis. Next, we clarify the characteristics of each type on several levels, for example, association of languages, sense perception images, impressive parts of form, and visual structure of outward form. And then, through a comparison of each type, we examine the relations between the meaning of stereotypes and these visual forms, and derive the common associative systems in those images from this analysis.