Multivariate Models and the Attributes of the Experience of the Built Environment

A number of multivariate geometric models [unfolding, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS), and the additive clustering model (ADCLUS)] were fitted to the data from a previous paper to examine questions relating to the nature of the attributes of the experience of churches (dimensions versus features), the identity of the attributes, the prototypicality of the categories, and the appropriateness of each of the models for the data. Clear evidence of prototypicality was obtained and it was found that the goodness-of-example and interest ratings formed overlapping categories. The MDS and ADCLUS models both fitted the data to exhibit meaningful dimensions and clusters. These revealed different levels of meaning in the data and allowed an interpretation of the results in terms of the identity and nature of the attributes of the goodness-of-example and interest categories. The implications of these results are discussed for both architecture and cognitive psychology.