‘Is it me, or is it getting crazier out there?’: The psyche of the interior in Joker: An analysis of psychological space in Todd Phillips Joker (2019) through collage

Encounters with interior spaces are influenced by past experiences and state of mind. Much of how architecture is experienced therefore is not readily apparent and is sensed rather than seen. Psyche impacts this experience of lived space, from an individual’s awareness of themselves within it, to the perception of space itself. Film offers a distinctive representation of this subjective experience through its narrative form and command of visual, audio and temporal language. The emotive and visceral power of film render it an accessible and immersive medium, and as such make it uniquely placed to communicate less tangible qualities of space and character. This paper analyses the use of interior space in the film Joker (Todd Phillips, 2019). The acutely intimate discernment of the protagonist’s interior environment is the result of environmental and psychological disruption, where boundaries break down between the real and imaginary, and the surreal intrudes upon the tangible depiction of the interior. The exposition of the character’s damaged psyche within space is analysed at key points within the narrative, using collage as an exploratory, visual methodology to analyse and experiment with, to potentially reveal the less perceivable, yet invasive intangible layers of lived space. This article addresses the frequent oversight of psychological qualities of the interior in architectural discourse, through an analytical and experimental method rendering the psychological content of space visible. Defining this intangible nature of architecture as the psychosphere (or the psychological atmosphere), I term this technique the ‘psychospheric collage method’. The process consists of interrogating expressive film language and content through an architectural lens documented through sketching, storyboarding and textual enquiry. From these fragmented components I compose a new visual language capable of signifying the layered psychological atmosphere in which a character resides, thus facilitating its consideration within architectural design and enabling articulation of our intimate encounter with the interior

A Methodology approach for the comparison of cases in space syntax and morphology studies

The aim of this paper is examining a research design methodology approach. This methodology approach is mainly focusing on investigating the comparison of consistent cases within a research structure. The comparison is carried out through the 2D drawing layouts such as plans in the selected study. Although the main concern is examining the methodology covering the comparison of low-rise apartments’ domestic space plan layouts, the exemplar study is also introduced briefly within the paper for a better understanding of the introduced comparison structure and the part of the methodology scrutinized. Comparison of plan layouts related cases in space syntax and morphology studies is the starting point. Afterwards, the discussion on the selection of similar plan types (2D drawings) in meaning and sizes made the methodology introduced possible. Focusing on an architectural design related research study is a crucial part of this paper supporting the core discussion. For this reason, focusing on a former research based on architectural design related domestic space investigation with its context related to low-rise apartment plans’ in Istanbul was needed. Other than domestic space investigations, this approach may also be applied to similar investigations covering building design morphology and spatial syntax related researches focusing on the comparison of cases depending on a systematic selection. The selection of the analyzed cases in this design methodology approach is crucial with their similar extent of plan sizes and semantic coherence in relation with their use of spaces. Environment-Behavior Studies related research context is also crucial for this methodology approach. Behavioral circuits, behavior setting, and culture-ecology perspective within the building scale should be primarily discussed in order to use this paper’s methodological approach

Augmented experiences in archeological sites: Presentation of Alexandria Troas Podium Temple to visitor experience

Set aside the issues concerning their excavation, documentation, and conservation, as far as their presentation to the public experience is concerned, Archaeological sites represent a special case of cultural heritage that come with distinctive set of conditions and demands, posing a problem situation deserving a special treatment. Problem is manifold: The presentation should be informative, entertaining, and educational, all accomplished through an active corporeal and mental participation where interactivity and immersion must be the key. The setting must provide a holistic, comprehensible experience by completing “missing parts and layers,” and contextualizing it, perhaps through a story, a theme, or a background. Any intervention must be non-invasive, reversible and updateable; alternatives and different layers must be presented, preferably, synchronously. Above all, final setting should be subordinate to the primacies of “conservation of cultural heritage,” while providing an intellectually and physically accessible and sustainable overall historical environment. This has been an age-old issue for the scholars, a genuine challenge due to the ill-defined nature of the problem situation itself. The present study departs from the proposition that, Augmented Reality(AR), by definition, has a potential to contribute to such a problem situation. AR is a combination of real and virtual worlds, where “virtual” could complement what was missing in the real and new objects and layers might be woven together, into one new reality where active bodily and mental participation and interaction is possible. Though it might seem implied in the definition, the proposition still needs a rigorous investigation since AR is a rapidly emerging but still quite a young field that has a long way to go; and since, research on AR’s specific adoption to presentation of archaeological sites, apart from few examples, is still an unbeaten path. The present multidisciplinary study aims to take a step towards such an investigation. Established upon a detailed investigation and analysis of examples, the present study involves development of an AR application of a selected case: “Alexandria Troas Podium Temple,” followed by a field study. In the present report, we share our experience and observations of the process and the implementation. In conclusion, we propose that AR is a serious candidate to be a considerable asset for the presentation of archaeological sites for the visitor experience, without compromising the universal norms of conservation of cultural heritage. We also argue that AR seems to have its own agenda, coming with unprecedented possibilities still to be appreciated and adopted, which in turn might help us to go beyond the conventional conceptions and modes of conservation of cultural heritage and presentation

Towards a holistic interpretation of resilient cities' concept: The case of Doha, Qatar

Resilience and resilient cities are heavily used terms in the current architecture and planning discourse. Given the mixed interpretations of the concept of “Resilient Cities”, this paper calls for a more holistic understanding of the concept and its impact on the way cities are designed, planned and developed. By labelled as resilient, cities should transcend the current limited definition of the resilient cities concept which focuses merely on facing environmental challenges and readiness for climate change impact and other forms of natural disasters. Resilience as an attribute for cities and as will be shown in the case of Doha, the capital city of Qatar, should be holistic and inclusive to embrace all aspects of city development including economical base, cultural assets, social structure and urban development. Using the case of Doha, the paper illustrates a new conceptual understanding of cities’ resilience. The paper analyses the contemporary evolution in Doha and highlights the milestones in structuring the new vision for Doha’s development as a resilient city holistically. In the last decade, the city was subjected to several radical transformations started from winning the bid to host the 2022 FIFA world cup, decrease in oil prices and finally the sea, air and land blockade imposed on Qatar by its adjacent neighbors. The paper illustrates Doha’s model in providing a worthy case of resilience which allows the city to successfully cope with the consequences of all the major shocks, stress and unforeseen challenges, the city have faced in the last decade

Understanding the cultural landscape value of traditional agrarian landscapes of African Sahara Desert: The case of Timimoun, Algeria

In 1992, the World Heritage Convention became the first international legal instrument recognize cultural landscapes as a human heritage that must be protected.  The Cultural Landscape - Past, Present and Future considers different aspects of man's intervention with natural vegetation and the landscape resulting from a long equilibrium of co-existence. These landscapes are not stable, and the recent and ever accelerating changes in technology and life-style have increasingly affected many ancient landscapes, as old land-use practices are abandoned and traditions forgotten.(Birks et al., 1988) Human communities in desert areas formed a special landscape, providing these cultural landscapes within a special ecosystem of sustainable living conditions, which helped to create many social, economic, and cultural systems in addition to preserving biodiversity.  Unfortunately, the cultural landscape in the African desert is constantly deteriorating under the influence of urban, economic, and social changes. In the southern Algerian Timimoun city of is one of the most important global desert touristic destination due to the natural cultural landscape characterizes it, but unfortunately this landscape in continuous deterioration. Agricultural landscapes of desert environment, with its remarkable knowledge culture and world of practices, must be seen as a living library where this knowledge is transferred from generation to generation. It seems certain that we will need more of the know-how stored in this living library in the near future, especially considering the effects of climate change we are experiencing today. The paper aims to identification of cultural landscapes in the oasis and analyses transformation and change in cultural landscape and traditional green infrastructure elements by relying on a historical analysis of spatial images based on quantitative analysis using ArcGIS software with the aim of identifying the real reasons of this deterioration in the urban cultural landscape in desert cites we will propose an action strategy to prevent this degradation.    &nbsp

Existential themes and motifs in Andrei Tarkovsky’s films: The notions of space and transcendence

In this article Andrei Tarkovsky’s films are studied through the lens of existential philosophical traditions. At the heart of Tarkovsky’s narratives lies a yearning for authenticity, a need for freedom and an intention to communicate with otherness in its various manifestations. Whereas spirituality is clearly an important factor in Tarkovsky’s aesthetic explorations, we focus on materiality and corporeality: a violent sensuality, associated to what Albert Camus perceives as a revolt of the flesh, plays a crucial part in Tarkovsky’s seven films.  A desire to escape oppressive aspects of everyday reality in order to approach an ideal location (mostly related to memories of childhood) gives rise to the urgent need for transcendence described in Tarkovsky’s body of work. The two key terms, the notions of transcendence and space, are closely related to one another. The importance of poetry, not as a literary term, but as a way to interpret and challenge everyday reality, will be a key factor in the reading of this process

Three key issues of urban renewal: Approaches for Turkey

In many countries, urban policies and urban planning increasingly favor urban renewal more than new urban development. However, the urban renewal processes are challenging because of ‘land assembly’, ‘recovery of urban infrastructure’, and ‘social sustainability.  The success of the urban renewal processes is closely related to these three key issues because they can affect directly social, economic, and political costs and time periods. The aim of the article analyzes approaches and their outcomes for three keys issues faced in urban renewal processes in the Turkish case. Such an analysis offers insight into policies that can help to overcome three key issues faced in urban renewal and to promote sustainable urban renewal

Typo-morphological assessment of Ludlow and Famagusta Old Town

In the field of urban morphology, different scholars have developed different approaches. The pioneering approaches are the procedural-typological approach of G. Caniggia and G.L. Maffei and the historico-evolutionary approach of M.R.G. Conzen, which are the focus of this paper. However, it is also worth mentioning J.W.R. Whitehand (1981), who integrated the analysis of changes to the built fabric with the study of the individuals and organizations involved in the various aspects of property development, users, planners, and architects. As well, Kropf (2009) named four distinct approaches – spatial analytical, configurational, process typological, and historico-geographical – for the purpose of determining more explicitly which aspects are included in the different approaches to urban morphology. Based on the theoretical approaches of the above-mentioned scholars, in the scope of this article, the architectural and planning dimensions of urban morphology will be discussed for Ludlow and Famagusta, which carry similar morphological characteristics on the planning level and different typological characteristics on the architectural level. Ludlow is a small market town in the south of Shropshire, England; it is a few miles east of the Welsh border. Famagusta, with its Old Town, is a small market town in the eastern part of Cyprus. This article explores urban morphology based on the two pioneering morphological approaches,  and then it sets up a typo-morphological basis for Ludlow and Famagusta through an integrated approach. The belief is that such an integrated approach will drive future interventions, design, and planning policies towards their conservation

Justification of panopticon in superhero movies: The Batman Movie

The French Philosopher Michel Foucault argues that power extends to all areas at the micro level in Bentham's Panopticon theory, which was inspired by the architectural design of the Panopticon. He extends this metaphor to speak of Panoptisism as a social phenomenon used to discipline workforces through implicit strategies. Like Bentham, he does not limit his panoptic rhetoric to a mere prison setting, but instead applies it to schools, mental hospitals, hospitals and factories. The panopticon basically ensures the ubiquity of power by seeing it unseen. This article aims to reveal how panoptiism, a particular mode of disciplinary power used by Foucault, is normalized in superhero films. When surveillance and gaze practices are approached from the point of view of cinema; the question of how the gaze is positioned through the camera, where and through whose eyes the audience is looking, arises. The narrator of The Batman (2022) is Batman, and the narrative begins with the superhero reading his diary. In the film, it is determined that Gotham city has been transformed into a panoptic universe and Batman, who watches over this universe, is in the position of a guard

Optimization of multi-objective land use model with genetic algorithm

The first task of the city planner is to effectively locate integrated land use types for various objectives. The Multi Objective Land Use Planning Model developed to achieve this goal, aims to maximize land value and minimize the transportation. The genetic algorithm method developed to find the optimum layout according to the Multi-Objective Land Use Planning Model has been explained, the success and performance of the process has been tested with artificial data, and its usability in real problems has been examined. According to the results of the study, using this method, it is revealed that layout plans that are very close to the maximum efficiency value can be found within 1 day in cities with a population of up to 1,000,000, within 1 week in cities up to 5,000,000, and within 1.5 months in cities close to 16,000,000. By examining the results, the deficiencies of this method are determined and the suggestions for improvement of this method are stated. The problem chosen in this study is a problem that most city planners have to solve and the developed application has been opened to the use of other experts. This makes this work unique as it allows planning experts who are incapable of developing such methods to experiment