Factors Determining Selection of Exterior Wall Finishing Materials and Similarity Determined by Degree of Agreement between Principal Central Business Districts in Japan

Abstract

The urban landscape is composed of the accumulation of exterior finishing materials used for buildings. In the design of buildings, the exterior finishing materials are selected in consideration of the “performance value” peculiar to each material, the “space value” determined by economic consideration of the building location and the “environment value” based on regional weather conditions and atmospheric environmental conditions. For the purpose of examining the regional characteristics of the performance value of exterior wall finishing materials, an investigation into the quality, texture, geometry, color coordination and finishing cost of exterior finishing materials was conducted in the principal central business districts in Japan. From the investigation results, the factors determining the selection of exterior wall finishing materials in Japan and the similarity between the districts in terms of the degree of agreement are made clear.