Evaluation of Spatial Proportions in Architectural Interiors

AWERProcedia

Information Technology &

Computer Science

00 (2012) 000-‐000

3rd World Conference on Information Technology 2012

Evaluation of Spatial Proportions in Architectural Interiors

by Using 3d Models

Nilüfer Sağlar Onay a*

aAssist. Prof., ITU Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul, 34473, Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to determine the acceptable range of spatial proportions by developing an effective space evaluation model. The model is composed of 3 steps that all utilize virtual reality to evaluate spatial perception. While the first and second steps use static images obtained from 3d models, the third step also employs animations to evaluate interiors with different proportional qualities. The static images are confronted synchronously by asking test subjects to choose the most pleasant one. On the other hand the animations are evaluated by using certain predefined qualitative properties of space including beauty, spaciousness, legibility, density, fluency and enclosedness. The interaction between test subjects and virtual models is obtained by the help of an internet site that guides the subjects step by step. The study both evaluates spatial preferences and various methods used to evaluate spatial properties. The 3 step virtual space evaluation model tries to determine the most efficient way of spatial evaluation. By using 3d models, it becomes possible to change only the parameters that serve for the specified research. Considering the findings of various steps, it has been found out that static images obtained from 3d architectural models give better results in order to compare spaces with different qualitative properties, while the animations provide healthier results while evaluating single spaces with predefined spatial characteristics but not for comparing them. From spatial point of view, it has been found out that the preference of depth, width and height were always evaluated in direct proportion to each other.

Keywords: Spatial proportions, 3d models, virtual reality, space evaluation model Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Dogan Ibrahim. ©2012 Academic World Education & Research Center. All rights reserved.

* ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Nilüfer Sağlar Onay, Assist. Prof., ITU Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul, 34473, Turkey E-‐mail address: [email protected]/ Tel.: +90-‐212-‐2931300-‐2822

Nilüfer Sağlar Onay / AWERProcedia Information Technology & Computer Science (2012) 000-‐000

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1. Introduction

Architecture necessitates definition of space by making use of the spatial envelope [1]. The quantitative properties of the spatial boundaries help the architect to characterize architectural space. As space is experienced by individuals, these properties of space pass through perceptual processes and they become spatial effects. Therefore perceived space tends to be different from existing space [2]. This study focuses on these differences that occur while space is perceived by certain individuals. Virtual space makes it easier to make alterations on physical properties of space and by the help of animations all test subjects can experience virtual space from the same position during a predefined period of time. The evaluation model consists of various steps, which are developed one after other in order to determine the best way to evaluate virtual space. This research can be regarded as an experimental approach for virtual space evaluation.

2. Space Evaluation Models

Within this study, three different evaluation models were developed. The first model (fixed-‐volume evaluation model) was developed by changing the spatial proportions of spaces with the same volume. The second model (fixed-‐window evaluation model) was constructed by fixing width in order to gain identical windows opening to virtual spaces. This model was applied to different functions including retail shops, café-‐restaurants and exhibition spaces. The third model (modular evaluation model) was developed by modifying only width and depth modularly. During this step, the same virtual spaces were evaluated by both three dimensional and two dimensional methods (static images). Retail shops with the same height but different proportions were modeled by the help of 3d Studio Max. The static images were confronted synchronously by asking test subjects to choose the most pleasant one. On the other hand the animations were evaluated by using certain predefined qualitative properties of space including beauty, spaciousness, legibility, density, fluency and enclosedness. The results of each evaluation model were considered in order to determine the most effective virtual space evaluation technique.

2.1. Fixed volume evaluation model

The fixed-‐volume evaluation model is based on the assumption that abstract cubic spaces with the same volume can be considered as equivalent spaces. If volume and all other spatial parameters that can affect spatial perception are fixed and only the proportions are modified, it becomes possible to evaluate only the proportional properties of space. Spaces to be modified are all cubic ones enclosed by plain surfaces except the entrance (Figure1a).

Fig.1. (a) The cubic space used for evaluation; (b) fixed volume model, the increase of spatial area while spatial height is decreased


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As volume is fixed, the area of spaces increases or decreases according to changes in height (Figure1b). So it becomes possible to evaluate pleasantness according to the changes in both height and depth. The test subjects were asked to choose the most pleasant interior among 4 different static images and they were given no other information about the spaces including their function and location. In order to create a sense of human scale, a human figure was inserted on the border facing the entrance of the virtual space (Figure 2).

Fig. 2. Example of an evaluation group in fixed-‐volume evaluation model

2.2. Fixed window evaluation model

The second model is developed by fallowing the assumption that: the dimensions of the windows opening to virtual interiors had to be equivalent in order to obtain comparable virtual images. Therefore, the width of the window is fixed to 3 different values and for every width value, 3 different height and 3 different depth values are defined. This time volume has a variable character between 69 and 777 m3. The model aims to evaluate the preference of height with changing values of width and depth for certain functions predefined as retail shops, exhibition spaces and cafés (Figure3).

Fig. 3. Examples of evaluation groups in fixed-‐window evaluation model for every different function; café,

exhibition, retail

2.3. Modular evaluation model

It was found out that while evaluating virtual spaces by fixed-‐volume and fixed-‐window evaluation models, depth was perceived with much difficulty. So it was decided to develop another model that could evaluate the same spaces both by 2d and 3d methods. By this way it could be also possible to test the reliability of the first and second models and compare the results of each phase.

The modular evaluation model was formed by a more realistic point of view in order to compare 9 retail shops placed on the same circulation corridor in a shopping center. Therefore the heights of


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spaces are all the same but depth and width change modularly (Figure 4a). The first step is based on comparing static images just like the previous models. On the other hand the second step is based on animations created by moving the virtual camera along a regular predefined path (Figure 4b).

Fig. 4. (a) plans of modular spaces to be evaluated ;

(b) example of the regular predefined camera path used for animation

During the first step test subjects choose the most pleasant image among 3 modularly different space image (Figure5). While comparing spaces, in other words evaluating more than 1 space at the same time, it becomes obligatory to fix time and use static images.

Fig. 5. Example of an evaluation group in step one-‐ modular evaluation model

The second step is not based on comparing spaces but evaluating them by using a similar differential scale like the semantic environmental scale of Küller [3] determining 6 different spatial effects including spaciousness, beauty, density, legibility, fluency and enclosedness. Test subjects that are all design students are asked to watch and evaluate every animation film, which are all uploaded to an Internet site (Figure 6).


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Fig. 6. The expression of animation film for one of the shops (2 modules long and wide)

3. Conclusion

After evaluating the results of each evaluation model, it has been found out that the preference of spatial proportions was influenced by the physical and visual distances required for different functions. The spatial character of spaces with different functions was mostly affected by height. But the preference of height-‐independent from function and size of space-‐ increased as space was extended horizontally. In other words the preference of depth, width and height were always evaluated in direct proportion to each other. The modular evaluation model through which the test subjects could experience spaces by walking on predefined paths, showed that, test subjects always tended to evaluate spaces which had the proportion of 2/3 between height and width or depth, as positive. In other words they were inclined to create a close proportional relation between height and at least one of the two other spatial parameters (height and width). This can be seen as a result of the demand for enclosedness or peripheral seizing. When height is dimensionally identical or close to depth or height, the perceived enclosedness tends to rise. The findings show that especially the horizontal development of spaces in public buildings, where the construction height is fixed, must be evaluated more carefully.

The study both evaluates spatial preferences and various methods used to evaluate spatial properties so can be seen as an experimental process in virtual space evaluation on the interface of architecture and information technology. In order to create more realistic virtual spaces for space evaluation, information technologists and architects need to share interdisciplinary platforms.

References [1] Joedicke, J., (1985). Space and Form in Architecture, Karl Kramer Verlag, Stuttgart

[2] Weber, R., (1995). Aesthetics of Architecture, Athenaeum Press Ltd, Great Britain

[3] Küller, R., (1991). Environmental Assessment from a Neuropsychological Perspective, Environment, Cognition and Action:

An Integrated Approach, Oxford University Press, New York

Evaluation of Spatial Proportions in Architectural Interiors

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