Aesthetic Measures of Algiers’ Colonial Facades

This research presents an analytical tool to quantitatively assess and compare the aesthetic value of facades, by focusing on their formal order (O) and complexity (C). A total of fifteen facades of the colonial building heritage (19th–20th centuries) of Algiers old city center were aesthetically assessed and compared. The method uses Birkhoff’s aesthetic measure and calculates the aesthetic value for each facade. These values were ranked and compared using statistical analysis. The results lead to classify the evaluated facades into four sets according to the importance of their aesthetic values: very high, high, average and low. The results can serve to elaborate a guideline of design principles to help operating on this site. However, this research shows some limitations and suggests the need for further research into aesthetic preference. A valuation survey is necessary to improve this method and to test Birkhoff’s formula empirically.