ABSTRACT
What are the inhabitable characteristics of Prehistoric caves, dwellings, and settlements that can be applied to modern-day architectural design? Cognitively, modern humans are similar to our prehistoric ancestors. The way we relate to space has evolved at a slower pace than our architectural environments. By studying the way people created and inhabited dwellings in prehistoric times, this project aims to connect us with our primal needs for shelter and community, and also to offer modern designers a guide for designing healthier spaces. This study uses a correlational research strategy to examine the behavioral and spatial characteristics of Prehistoric settlements within archaeological reports. These characteristics and data were extracted from multiple sites throughout the Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras. Throughout the data extraction process, multiple concepts and typologies were defined. The aspects of different Prehistoric typologies were then analyzed, and the findings were implemented into a handbook as a ‘guide’ to using the research in the design process. The project focuses on applying the research findings to two typologies: domestic and communal space. The research findings are condensed into 8 broad architectural, cognitive, and design-related concepts that are intended to be used as resource in complete design projects. The findings of this research show that there are multiple ways to interpret Prehistoric architecture in a modern way that also benefits the human cognitive experience.
