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Volume 26, Issue 2 (summer 2024)
Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2024, 26(2): 108-122 |
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Haghani M, Osmani A, Majidi Hatkeloee S. Effectiveness of users in the design of open space of university complexes by using the Kansei engineering method (Case study: Main entrance of Babol Branch of National of Skills). Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2024; 26 (2) :108-122
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1668-en.html
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1668-en.html
1- Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, National University of Skills (NUS), Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (476 Views)
Introduction
During their lifetime, people often experience a presence full of positive or negative feelings caused by the physical environment and users of the space beyond the effects of education and training in the educational space. Therefore, architects should design university spaces to meet the needs of students by creating a context for knowing the physical and psychological characteristics of users. Thus, the environment should be such that they feel meaning and connection. Today, the lack of this process and the essential principle of quality, including a set of concepts and values, is felt in the design of educational spaces. To address this issue, it is essential to design spaces that resonate emotionally with users. By focusing on creating environments that forge a deep emotional connection, we ensure that visual and environmental qualities cater to the users’ preferences rather than being dictated by the designer’s personal taste. This approach fosters a more meaningful interaction between the space and its occupants. Extracting these emotions and emotional reactions that are somehow tied to their mental image of a design requires using the emotional preferences approach to convert qualitative concepts into quantitative ones. One of the most successful methods of sensory preferences is Kansei engineering.
Methods
In this study, five designs of the academic collection were measured cross-sectionally using a descriptive-analytical and survey method. Data collection tools were observation and questionnaire, and the analysis was done using SPSS-23 software. For this purpose, the statistical population is divided into five groups: Students of the college, as the main users of the space; administrative staff; professors of the college; residents of the Seyyed Jalal neighborhood; and architectural professors of Babol city, Iran, engaged in professional work. According to Cochran’s formula, the number of 327 questionnaires was the basis of the research. Questionnaires were adjusted using the semantic differentiation method with a 5-point Likert scale. It was distributed among the statistical sample with a stratified sampling technique. In the first stage, the scope and areas of design were determined based on the target group and existing samples. Then, among all the above cases, representatives from each group who had the most connections were selected. Among the six factors of volumetric form, materials, color, dimensions, size, environmental qualities, and the principles of order, as influential indicators in the design of the Sardarb collection, “volumetric form” and its effects on the emotions of the audience as the representative was investigated.
In the second stage, first, all the words that were likely to be included in the scope of the plan and define the facade and technical and professional university were collected without any evaluation. Vocabulary collection continued until no new word existed, according to the researchers. In the initial stage, 248 words were gathered. After collection, words recognized similarly were grouped, and one word from each group was selected as a representative, reducing the total to 110 words. During the second screening stage, five university faculty members specializing in architecture evaluated these words, narrowing them down to 38 words and forming 19 pairs. These became the foundation of the analysis. Ultimately, by applying the correlation coefficient, the relationship between Kansei attributes and the volume form of the Sardarb collection, as shown in images to users, was determined, identifying the best image.
Results
The study’s findings of the significant relationship between Kansei words and the five-volume states of the Sardarb series indicate a significant relationship between Kansei words and the different volume states of the Sardarb series. Volume #1 (diagonal lines in the volume), in 11 Kansi words, “beautiful”, “modern”, “creative”, “classy”, “special”, “memorable”, “relaxing”, “complex”, “Attractive”, “Exciting”, and “Dynamic”, have a positive correlation coefficient. Additionally, a value exceeding 0.5 suggests that, based on the interviewees’ perspectives, this volume positively correlates with most Kansei words, reflecting the users’ emotions. Volume number 2 (combination of diagonal and smooth lines) has a positive correlation in the majority of Kansei words, except for “authentic”, “safe”, and “intimate”. However, the correlation among the words is less pronounced when compared to image number 1, resulting in most Kansei words, except for “soothing”, exhibiting a correlation coefficient below 0.5. Consequently, this analysis suggests that this plan should be assigned a secondary priority regarding users’ emotional responses. Volume No. 3 (Smooth Lines), in 12 words: “Modern”, “Creative”, “Special”, “Complex”, “Attractive”, “Exciting”, “Dynamic”, “Genuine”, “Vitality”, Inspiring”, “Impressive”, “Diversity”, and “Idealistic” have a meaningful and inverse relationship.
Volume 4, which combines diagonal and straight lines with the diagonal line placed over the straight line, shows a negative correlation for the seven words: “Beautiful”, “Modern”, “Creative”, “Complex”, “Attractive”, “Exciting”, “Dynamic”, and “Idealist”. This means that changes in these words are correlated and move in the same direction, yet they have a positive correlation when compared to other words.
Volume 5, which focuses on equalizing the arc, strongly correlates negatively with most Kansei words. This indicates that changes in these variables are correlated but move in opposite directions, possibly due to a lack of alignment in the emotional responses related to the mentioned variables and volume. Since the studied sample is one of the subcategories of Technical and Professional University, paying attention to the mission of skill training and entrepreneurship of this university is essential in choosing the form of facade. The words creative, complex, dynamic, and idealistic can be considered among the words aligned with the university’s mission. Based on the results of Pearson’s correlation, it can be mentioned that, among the five evaluated plans, plans No. 1 and 2 have the highest correlation with the mentioned words, and are evaluated as appropriate.
Conclusion
The findings reveal that designs featuring diagonal lines, which evoke a sense of ascent, dynamism, creativity, and curiosity, are well-received by the target audience.
These results highlight that different designs trigger varied emotions in viewers. Therefore, architects should prioritize understanding and integrating the audience’s perceptions and emotions into their design strategies to ensure project success.
Additionally, considering emotional feedback in design spaces enables designers and stakeholders to develop effective short-term and long-term plans. It is crucial to recognize that audience tastes and emotions evolve. Thus, architects must continuously assess audience perceptions and emotions both before and after the design process, using diverse methods to remain relevant amidst the vast range of available designs and captivate their audience.
Regarding universities, it is essential to note that each institution, similar to its educational approach, possesses a distinct design philosophy. This philosophy conveys the university’s unique character to its audience and should be carefully considered in the design process.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
Among the ethical principles considered in this research, it is possible to mention the description of the goals and details of the research for all the participants at the beginning, voluntary participation in the research, compliance with the principles of confidentiality, and obtaining the informed consent of the participants. It is worth mentioning that this research was extracted from the research opportunity of faculty members in the industry of the first author in the Department of Architecture, National University of Skills, under the number 25/210/218.
Authors’ contributions
The first author led the study, from the initial design and implementation to data collection, analysis, and the initial draft of the article. The second and third authors provided expert guidance and actively participated in various stages of the research. All authors reviewed the study’s results and collaboratively edited and prepared the article’s final version.
Funding
This research has been extracted from the study opportunity of faculty members in the industry and society of the first author in the Department of Architecture, Technical and Vocational University of Mazandaran Province and has not received financial support from any organization or institution.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to all the participants and others who helped conduct this research.
Conflicts of interest
The authors of this article declared no conflict of interest.
During their lifetime, people often experience a presence full of positive or negative feelings caused by the physical environment and users of the space beyond the effects of education and training in the educational space. Therefore, architects should design university spaces to meet the needs of students by creating a context for knowing the physical and psychological characteristics of users. Thus, the environment should be such that they feel meaning and connection. Today, the lack of this process and the essential principle of quality, including a set of concepts and values, is felt in the design of educational spaces. To address this issue, it is essential to design spaces that resonate emotionally with users. By focusing on creating environments that forge a deep emotional connection, we ensure that visual and environmental qualities cater to the users’ preferences rather than being dictated by the designer’s personal taste. This approach fosters a more meaningful interaction between the space and its occupants. Extracting these emotions and emotional reactions that are somehow tied to their mental image of a design requires using the emotional preferences approach to convert qualitative concepts into quantitative ones. One of the most successful methods of sensory preferences is Kansei engineering.
Methods
In this study, five designs of the academic collection were measured cross-sectionally using a descriptive-analytical and survey method. Data collection tools were observation and questionnaire, and the analysis was done using SPSS-23 software. For this purpose, the statistical population is divided into five groups: Students of the college, as the main users of the space; administrative staff; professors of the college; residents of the Seyyed Jalal neighborhood; and architectural professors of Babol city, Iran, engaged in professional work. According to Cochran’s formula, the number of 327 questionnaires was the basis of the research. Questionnaires were adjusted using the semantic differentiation method with a 5-point Likert scale. It was distributed among the statistical sample with a stratified sampling technique. In the first stage, the scope and areas of design were determined based on the target group and existing samples. Then, among all the above cases, representatives from each group who had the most connections were selected. Among the six factors of volumetric form, materials, color, dimensions, size, environmental qualities, and the principles of order, as influential indicators in the design of the Sardarb collection, “volumetric form” and its effects on the emotions of the audience as the representative was investigated.
In the second stage, first, all the words that were likely to be included in the scope of the plan and define the facade and technical and professional university were collected without any evaluation. Vocabulary collection continued until no new word existed, according to the researchers. In the initial stage, 248 words were gathered. After collection, words recognized similarly were grouped, and one word from each group was selected as a representative, reducing the total to 110 words. During the second screening stage, five university faculty members specializing in architecture evaluated these words, narrowing them down to 38 words and forming 19 pairs. These became the foundation of the analysis. Ultimately, by applying the correlation coefficient, the relationship between Kansei attributes and the volume form of the Sardarb collection, as shown in images to users, was determined, identifying the best image.
Results
The study’s findings of the significant relationship between Kansei words and the five-volume states of the Sardarb series indicate a significant relationship between Kansei words and the different volume states of the Sardarb series. Volume #1 (diagonal lines in the volume), in 11 Kansi words, “beautiful”, “modern”, “creative”, “classy”, “special”, “memorable”, “relaxing”, “complex”, “Attractive”, “Exciting”, and “Dynamic”, have a positive correlation coefficient. Additionally, a value exceeding 0.5 suggests that, based on the interviewees’ perspectives, this volume positively correlates with most Kansei words, reflecting the users’ emotions. Volume number 2 (combination of diagonal and smooth lines) has a positive correlation in the majority of Kansei words, except for “authentic”, “safe”, and “intimate”. However, the correlation among the words is less pronounced when compared to image number 1, resulting in most Kansei words, except for “soothing”, exhibiting a correlation coefficient below 0.5. Consequently, this analysis suggests that this plan should be assigned a secondary priority regarding users’ emotional responses. Volume No. 3 (Smooth Lines), in 12 words: “Modern”, “Creative”, “Special”, “Complex”, “Attractive”, “Exciting”, “Dynamic”, “Genuine”, “Vitality”, Inspiring”, “Impressive”, “Diversity”, and “Idealistic” have a meaningful and inverse relationship.
Volume 4, which combines diagonal and straight lines with the diagonal line placed over the straight line, shows a negative correlation for the seven words: “Beautiful”, “Modern”, “Creative”, “Complex”, “Attractive”, “Exciting”, “Dynamic”, and “Idealist”. This means that changes in these words are correlated and move in the same direction, yet they have a positive correlation when compared to other words.
Volume 5, which focuses on equalizing the arc, strongly correlates negatively with most Kansei words. This indicates that changes in these variables are correlated but move in opposite directions, possibly due to a lack of alignment in the emotional responses related to the mentioned variables and volume. Since the studied sample is one of the subcategories of Technical and Professional University, paying attention to the mission of skill training and entrepreneurship of this university is essential in choosing the form of facade. The words creative, complex, dynamic, and idealistic can be considered among the words aligned with the university’s mission. Based on the results of Pearson’s correlation, it can be mentioned that, among the five evaluated plans, plans No. 1 and 2 have the highest correlation with the mentioned words, and are evaluated as appropriate.
Conclusion
The findings reveal that designs featuring diagonal lines, which evoke a sense of ascent, dynamism, creativity, and curiosity, are well-received by the target audience.
These results highlight that different designs trigger varied emotions in viewers. Therefore, architects should prioritize understanding and integrating the audience’s perceptions and emotions into their design strategies to ensure project success.
Additionally, considering emotional feedback in design spaces enables designers and stakeholders to develop effective short-term and long-term plans. It is crucial to recognize that audience tastes and emotions evolve. Thus, architects must continuously assess audience perceptions and emotions both before and after the design process, using diverse methods to remain relevant amidst the vast range of available designs and captivate their audience.
Regarding universities, it is essential to note that each institution, similar to its educational approach, possesses a distinct design philosophy. This philosophy conveys the university’s unique character to its audience and should be carefully considered in the design process.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
Among the ethical principles considered in this research, it is possible to mention the description of the goals and details of the research for all the participants at the beginning, voluntary participation in the research, compliance with the principles of confidentiality, and obtaining the informed consent of the participants. It is worth mentioning that this research was extracted from the research opportunity of faculty members in the industry of the first author in the Department of Architecture, National University of Skills, under the number 25/210/218.
Authors’ contributions
The first author led the study, from the initial design and implementation to data collection, analysis, and the initial draft of the article. The second and third authors provided expert guidance and actively participated in various stages of the research. All authors reviewed the study’s results and collaboratively edited and prepared the article’s final version.
Funding
This research has been extracted from the study opportunity of faculty members in the industry and society of the first author in the Department of Architecture, Technical and Vocational University of Mazandaran Province and has not received financial support from any organization or institution.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to all the participants and others who helped conduct this research.
Conflicts of interest
The authors of this article declared no conflict of interest.
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2024/03/2 | Accepted: 2024/10/14 | Published: 2024/11/3
Received: 2024/03/2 | Accepted: 2024/10/14 | Published: 2024/11/3
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