Tarbiat Modares University Naqshejahan- Basic studies and New Technologies of Architecture and Planning 2322-4991 15 4 2025 12 22 Analysis of Human Errors in the Architectural Design Process: Identifying Origins, Classification, and Mitigation Strategies, With a native approach Analysis of Human Errors in the Architectural Design Process: Identifying Origins, Classification, and Mitigation Strategies, With a native approach 125 174 28527 10.48311/bsnt.2026.117981.82900 FA Hadi FarhangDoust Master of Islamic Architecture, Faculty of Islamic Art and Architecture, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0002-1828-4000 Journal Article 2025 11 27 The architectural design process, being a human-centered activity, is inherently susceptible to cognitive, perceptual, and communication errors that frequently lead to deviations from initial objectives. architectural research primarily focuses on the final product, and the human fallibility within the design process has been scarcely analyzed in a systematic manner, to identify the origins and classify the errors to propose origin-based strategies for reducing the impact of these errors on the gap between design intentions and final outcomes. Moreover, in light of the cultural context of the study, attention has also been given to the role of the rupture from indigenous models—such as the master–apprentice system and traditional professional ethics—in the emergence of these new forms of errors.This study employed a qualitative research strategy with a thematic analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 105 specialists, including 25 university professors, 30 professional architects, 15 project managers, 10 digital design assistants, 15 master's students, and 10 architectural researchers. Data analysis was conducted in three phases: open, axial, and selective coding.The findings revealed that human errors can be classified into five main dimensions: Cognitive (misinterpretation of the problem), Perceptual (misunderstanding of scale and space), Communication (lack of coordination between the team and the client), Management (time and resource control issues), and Technical (in translating the idea into drawings). Moreover, the findings demonstrated how the substitution of the concept of “architectural etiquette” with rigid bureaucratic regulations has led to the institutionalization of errors arising from disregard for human dignity. The architectural design process, being a human-centered activity, is inherently susceptible to cognitive, perceptual, and communication errors that frequently lead to deviations from initial objectives. architectural research primarily focuses on the final product, and the human fallibility within the design process has been scarcely analyzed in a systematic manner, to identify the origins and classify the errors to propose origin-based strategies for reducing the impact of these errors on the gap between design intentions and final outcomes. Moreover, in light of the cultural context of the study, attention has also been given to the role of the rupture from indigenous models—such as the master–apprentice system and traditional professional ethics—in the emergence of these new forms of errors.This study employed a qualitative research strategy with a thematic analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 105 specialists, including 25 university professors, 30 professional architects, 15 project managers, 10 digital design assistants, 15 master's students, and 10 architectural researchers. Data analysis was conducted in three phases: open, axial, and selective coding.The findings revealed that human errors can be classified into five main dimensions: Cognitive (misinterpretation of the problem), Perceptual (misunderstanding of scale and space), Communication (lack of coordination between the team and the client), Management (time and resource control issues), and Technical (in translating the idea into drawings). Moreover, the findings demonstrated how the substitution of the concept of “architectural etiquette” with rigid bureaucratic regulations has led to the institutionalization of errors arising from disregard for human dignity. https://bsnt.modares.ac.ir/article_28527_b6e8c5451a2f2a81cf2dc6a7ca9903ea.pdf