Alim, Usman R.Taron, Joshua M.Hosseini, Seyed Vahab2020-12-222020-12-222020-12Hosseini, S. V. (2020). Optically Illusive Architecture (OIA): a design paradigm attuned towards viewpoints (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112898Human beings have historically recorded events of their surrounding world by means of drawing. Likewise, architects and designers communicate their ideas within a range of representational methods. No single instance of these methods, either in the form of orthographic projections---also known as descriptive geometry---or perspectival representation, can address all questions regarding the design, but as a whole, they demonstrate a comprehensive range of information about the building or object they intend to represent. This explicates an inevitable degree of deficiency in representation, regardless of its type. In addition, perspective-based optical illusions manipulate our spatial perception by deliberately misrepresenting the reality. In this regard, they are not fresh concepts to architectural representation. In this thesis I propose Optically Illusive Architecture (OIA); a viewpoint-sensitive design paradigm whose concept derives from the gap between representational limitations and physical reality. Also, results of this design paradigm deliver specific messages to certain privileged point(s) in the space. OIA casts light to an undeniable role of viewpoints in designing architectural spaces. The idea is to establish a methodology in a way that the deficiency of current representational techniques---manifested as specific thread of optical illusions---flourishes into thoughtful results embodied as actual architectural spaces. Within this design paradigm, I define a framework to be able to effectively analyze its precedents, generate new space and evaluate their efficiencies. Moreover, the framework raises a hierarchical set of questions to differentiate OIA from a visual gimmick. Additional contributions of this thesis are generating two optically illusive architectures, as well as a new method of illusory representation. Furthermore, I analyze the generated OIA environments, by conducting empirical studies using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. These studies demonstrate design performance, and the public’s ability to engage and interact with OIA spaces, prior to the actual fabrication of the structures.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.ArchitectureEducation--ArtComputer Sciencedoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/38492