3. Exploration of An Element of Space to Afford Friendliness, Approachability, and Accessibility

The previous project analyzed how the user experience in the institutional space. The issue was about the overpowering atmosphere of constraint and rules in the institutional space to the user. It created an atmosphere of high formality for the user. Hence, it made the occupants feel powerless and restricted from freely doing their activities. It happened even for the activities that did not violate the rules. The assumption from the previous findings was that the user would be felt more appreciated in a ‘less formal’ environment. The ‘less formal’ here means the absence of a different rank between the staff of the institution and the occupants. For instance, the greeting from the receptionist made the occupants feel welcomed and accepted in the building. This was one example of a positive experience relating to a subject who represented the institution. As the designer, I thought it was important to investigate more how a positive experience could be created in a space. I found that one way to approach this was by making the space to be less institutional. There were two aspects that I would investigate more in the research, the physical element and the case study on the inclusive interior. In this project, I aimed to explore the first aspect of how spatial elements can support more informal activities to explore the idea of the de-institutional space.

To explore the physical elements of space, I examine a range of alterations consisting of two elements with a constant and relative variable. These alterations were looking for a space that could give affordance to informal activities enhancing the atmosphere of ‘less formal’. I put special attention to enhancing space to afford the support of conversation. Hence, I aimed to create a friendly atmosphere in space. This project also used to explore spatial keywords which able to explore more varied alterations. I choose the elements of boundary and opening through the spatial modeling with a keyword of expanding and tilting.

Even though it was a continuation of the previous phase, the methods of approach consist of studying literature about what is the meaning of Atmosphere Inclusivity. The targeted space to be explored was a transitional space such as a corridor. Therefore, it began with studying literature on the history of a corridor in order to extend an understanding of a corridor. After gaining the concept, I created some sketches. Firstly, I used the previous alteration modelling to produce the corridor scenario. After some first sketches, I divided the experience of a corridor into three categories, consisting of the beginning, the middle, and approaching the end.

I choose the element of openings, which I defined as the window and the access or entry point. I created a series of window expansions from the wall with several variables of pushing the window, tilting the window, and folding the window. I also explored the window based on the height and the angle (for the tilted window idea). In the second step, I modified the location of the window with several heights and positions to be seen from different entry points. I took photographs with a person figurine standing or seating to enable seeing on a human scale. In the later step, I inverted the position of the tilted window and the wall. The wall, previously, was vertical, and on this step, I changed it to a tilted wall. I made several alterations with height variation and various accessibility directions to see the point of view of the user. After that, I analyzed through photographs and saw the affordance of the space.

The goal was to look for the friendliness element, approachability, adn accessibility.

The last step was an exploration of the possibilities dimension with sketches. In the previous findings, I found that the expansion of the window will give more space to pause, rest some part of the body, and sit. Therefore, I did more research on the human dimension, from children and adults to see the accessibility for broad users. Through some sketches, I researched the application of some materials to examine the atmosphere.

1. The Window Expansion

The window expansion was perpendicular to the vertical wall. It afforded support to sit or rest depending on height position. The tilted window affords the same thing. However, it depends on the angle degree and length of the expansion, small-angle needs a longer expansion until reaches the affordance to sit and vice versa. It also gave the quality to direct the point of view of the user.

2. The Window Position and Curve Wall

The window position lay along the curve wall gave a different view from the window on the flat wall. The curvy wall afforded to widen the view. Later these qualities combined with the leveling access to afford a different view.

3. The Combination of Access and Window Position

The main aspect of the positioning of the window and the access was the perspective view from the user. It was combined with a sense of direction and a connection.

The potential qualities were found in the curve wall and tilted window. I found that it could be combined with the direction and leveling as given context the relation with the user perspective. Later, I combined the 2 directions with a titled wall and elevating platform. It performed an upscaled experience where the user will unconsciously switch from inside to outside or vice versa.

Image :

Exploration of affordance with detail sketches and physical modelling.

32 Schneiderman, Deborah, Anca I. Lasc, and Karin Tehve. Appropriated Interiors. Milton: Taylor and Francis, 2021.

33McLaughlan, Rebecca, and Julie Willis. “Atmospheric Inclusiveness: Creating a Coherent and Relatable Sense of Place for a Children’s Hospital.” Journal of architecture (London, England) 26, no. 8 (2021): 1197–1218

34Montgomery, Terry. “Cultivating the ‘In‐Between’: Humanising the Modern Healthcare Experience.” Architectural design 87, no. 2 (2017): 114–121. tions, 2019 XII-XIII.

35McLaughlan, Rebecca, and Julie Willis.

36Jarzombek, Mark. “Corridor Spaces.” Critical Inquiry 36, no. 4 (2010): 728–70. https://doi. org/10.1086/655210.