Aesthetics, Death, and Landmark Structures: Approach for Values Clarification
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 1
Abstract
The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark, which has long held the distinction of being the most popular structure in the world to commit suicide. A general process is presented for policy makers’ use to generate conversation and clarify their values in making decisions about public works improvements. This applies particularly well where issues of aesthetics and cost are emotionally and politically charged. The Golden Gate Bridge serves as a case study of how this process can be used. Three design solutions were generated on the basis of architectural concerns and developed in the context of evaluation criteria. A value-based decision analysis approach was taken to determine the preference structure of decision makers involved and to provide a rational framework for further development. Results indicate that existing preferences among decision makers may not be consistent with their public decisions and could be clarified given a more rigorous framework. The do-nothing option is likely to be less preferred to other options given a thorough definition of the acceptance criteria.
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Acknowledgments
Our appreciation goes to Professor Robert G. Bea and Kofi Inkabi for extensive assistance and instruction. Also, our thanks to the Psychiatric Foundation of Northern California for donating funds for model fabrication and initiation with the University of California at Berkeley on the idea for this project. Our appreciation also extends to everyone who helped give aesthetic comments and to those who gave short seminars on unfamiliar topics.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 1 • March 2007
Pages: 1 - 8
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 18, 2005
Accepted: Oct 14, 2005
Published online: Mar 1, 2007
Published in print: Mar 2007
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