What Design for a Presidential Library? Complexity,Typicality,Order,and Historical Significance

Abstract

Research shows that preference for scenes rest more in the character of the scene than in the observers. What features fit the design of a presidential library, such as the one under consideration by former president Clinton? The present study used six color photographs that represented various styles of architecture for institutional buildings such as a library or museum. The study used the photos to gather two kinds of data. For the independent variables, one sample of eight observers rated each building on four features: goodness of example, order, complexity, and historical significance. For the dependent variable, interviewers had a cluster sample of 130 respondents in central Ohio evaluate each building. The interviewers asked them to pick the building they liked the most for a presidential or senatorial library, the building they liked the least for that purpose, to report the reasons for the choices, and to rate each building on five 7-point evaluative scales. The analysis confirmed that importance of building over respondents features in the evaluations; and it showed that participants preferred designs with moderate levels of complexity and order, and moderate to high goodness of example. Open ended responses also indicated a preference for historic significance and symbols of popular over high style.

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