A Comparative Analysis of Design Criteria Influencing Building Material Selection Across Different Architectural Contexts.

The process of selecting building materials is a complex process that is affected by many restrictions, criteria and considerations. Often, the process is carried out spontaneously without considering the design criteria and neglects the building's function. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the key criteria impacting material selection. Design criteria vary based on a building's intended purpose and location, leading to distinct considerations. This study identifies five main design criteria: physical, cultural-social, environmental, economic, and technical. Experts in architecture participated in a survey, with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) used to assign weights to these criteria. The research findings highlight that material select for a building's envelope depend on its function and context. In religious buildings, cultural criteria are vital, regardless of historical or modern contexts. Historical residential buildings prioritize cultural criteria, while modern ones lean toward economic considerations. Commercial buildings have historically been influenced by physical factors but are now more influenced by technical criteria. This study highlights the importance of considering a variety of design criteria when selecting building materials to ensure effective adaptation to the building's use and context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]