Which approach to aesthetics refers to a building being desirable for expressing known cultural elements?

The choice of the semiotic approach as the correct answer stems from its focus on symbols and their meanings within a cultural context. In architecture, the semiotic approach emphasizes how buildings and designs convey particular cultural messages, values, and identities. This approach highlights the significance of recognizable cultural elements, such as forms, shapes, and materials, that resonate with a particular community's heritage and experiences. Thus, a building designed with an awareness of these cultural symbols is more likely to be perceived as desirable because it resonates with the cultural identity of the users or observers.

In contrast, the other approaches mentioned do not primarily focus on cultural expression through aesthetics. The behavior setting approach examines how the environment influences human behavior and activities, which is more about functionality than cultural representation. The empirical approach relies on observable data and experiences without necessarily considering cultural interpretations. The formist approach typically emphasizes the importance of the form itself and its aesthetic principles rather than its cultural meaning or symbolism. Hence, the semiotic approach is distinct in its emphasis on the cultural significance of architectural elements.