Scholarly Publications - Interior Architecture and Environmental Design

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11693/115607

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Open Access
The effects of salience and ordinal position of exhibit objects on visitor attention in digital exhibitions
(Routledge, 2024-05-03) Zıraman, Ayça Turgay; Imamoğlu, Çağrı
The aims of the present experiments were to investigate the impact of (a) ordinal position, (b) object salience (size and three-dimensionality), and (c) proximity to salient objects on visitor attention in digital exhibitions, and to make comparisons with trends observed in physical exhibitions. The results of two experiments involving 210 participants, conducted using a tablet computer, indicated that (a) the ordinal position and salience effects observed in physical exhibitions were also present in the digital medium; (b) however, the overshadowing effect by the salient objects on the adjacent ones observed in physical exhibitions did not seem to emerge when three-dimensionality was the salience parameter; and (c) the negative impact of the salient object’s presence on the overall attention to the exhibition observed in physical exhibitions seemed to be eliminated in digital exhibition environments regardless of the salience parameter
Open Access
Designing for mindfulness and global public health: where inner awareness meets the external environment
(Springer New York LLC, 2024-03-24) Altay, Burçak; Porter, Nicole
In this paper, we offer a commentary on Oman’s article “Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda” from the perspective of external environments, be they natural or built spaces. Utilizing the 14 domains of mindfulness and public health identified by Oman, we examine how spatio-environmental concerns are aligned, or have potential synergies with, these dimensions. We consider spatial and environmental qualities and relationships, for example, the presence of nature or a sense of safety, as supportive for public health and formal mindfulness practice, synthesizing a growing evidence base within environmental psychology and design literature. We highlight particular points of alignment, namely the impact of environments on mental health, stress, and attentional qualities. Potential synergies are evident where these domains seek to increase resilience and the sustainability of our planet, communities, and individuals, and through the increasing emphasis on designing places that offer inclusive access to, and direct involvement in, the creation of belief (spirituality) and culture-specific interventions. Although these domains offer the potential for greater holistic research and practice, more interdisciplinary research is needed to bridge gaps and bring this potential into the mainstream.
Open Access
Circular economy in the built environment: a systematic literature review on the role of digital technologies across regional contexts
(Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd., 2024-06-12) Aral, Duygu; Kayaçetin, Nuri Cihan; Durmuş Arsan, Zeynep
The built environment has a significant role in ecosystems and resource depletion. Therefore, its transition from linear into the circular economy (CE) is critical yet still progressing. While research on CE in the built environment (BE) is growing, an in-depth understanding of facilitators as digital technologies (DT) is required to accelerate its implementation. Investigating these digitalization efforts, considering the regional variations of developed and developing economies, needs to be deepened. This study aims to demonstrate state-of-the-art CE research, providing insight into how digital technology preferences evolved through regional context as a facilitator in the built environment. For this purpose, 80 articles were assessed by (i) descriptive and (ii) thematic analysis through a systematic literature review (SLR). The descriptive analysis highlights the trends in the literature on CE-enabling DT in the built environment. The thematic analysis indicates the prominent DT to facilitate the transition with a link to the regional context and related variations. The results identify integrated DT in CE studies and their relevance to the economic levels of several countries, and they show research gaps to guide future research. This study contributes to an emerging field of research at the nexus of the built environment, the circular economy, and digital technology by mapping regional research tendencies.
Embargo
Task-modulated neural responses in scene-selective regions of the human brain
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-12-28) Koç, Aysu Nur; Ürgen, Burcu Ayşen; Afacan, Yasemin
The study of scene perception is crucial to the understanding of how one interprets and interacts with their environment, and how the environment impacts various cognitive functions. The literature so far has mainly focused on the impact of low-level and categorical properties of scenes and how they are represented in the scene-selective regions in the brain, PPA, RSC, and OPA. However, higher-level scene perception and the impact of behavioral goals is a developing research area. Moreover, the selection of the stimuli has not been systematic and mainly focused on outdoor environments. In this fMRI experiment, we adopted multiple behavioral tasks, selected real-life indoor stimuli with a systematic categorization approach, and used various multivariate analysis techniques to explain the neural modulation of scene perception in the scene-selective regions of the human brain. Participants (N = 21) performed categorization and approach-avoidance tasks during fMRI scans while they were viewing scenes from built environment categories based on different affordances ((i)access and (ii)circulation elements, (iii)restrooms and (iv)eating/seating areas). ROI-based classification analysis revealed that the OPA was significantly successful in decoding scene category regardless of the task, and that the task condition affected category decoding performances of all the scene-selective regions. Model-based representational similarity analysis (RSA) revealed that the activity patterns in scene-selective regions are best explained by task. These results contribute to the literature by extending the task and stimulus content of scene perception research, and uncovering the impact of behavioral goals on the scene-selective regions of the brain.
Open Access
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) context and the perceived soundscape: a grounded theory approach
(Sage Publications, Inc., 2024-07) Orhan, Cemre; Yılmazer, Semiha
Background:Studies address excessive sound levels and their adverse effects on infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). However, objective measurements represent merely one aspect of the acoustic environment, and investigations into staff’s perceptions of the acoustic environment remain scarce in the NICU context. A holistic approach, soundscape, is needed to explore the acoustic environment in-depth. Aim:This study aims to (1) contribute to indoor soundscape literature and inform decision-makers of future NICU design and research by focusing on staff members’ perceptions of the soundscape and (2) explore whether there is a relationship between staff members’ perceptions of soundscapes and the built and acoustic environments of one NICU. Methods:Following the ISO/TS 12913-2/3 protocols, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 NICU staff members and analyzed using the grounded theory to generate a conceptual framework for NICU soundscapes. Results:The results indicated that the task-related sounds, including false alarms, were neutrally responded to as they evoked acceptance and adaptation behaviors. The sound sources perceived as irrelevant were responded to negatively. NICU staff indicated that although they expect to hear alarms clearly, specific features of alarms caused several physiological and psychological problems. Conclusions:The findings of the study revealed the importance of conducting a soundscape approach to investigate NICU acoustic environment in detail. The study showed that staff members’ perceptions and responses primarily depend on the context rather than on sound levels.
Open Access
Exploring the facilitators of the gerotranscendence theory: correlations among sustainable behaviors, biophilic design, and nature connectedness
(Sage Publications, Inc., 2024-10-04) Afacan, Yasemin
This study aims to shift views away from negative perceptions towards aging by exploring the following research question: How are the multiple levels of the gerotranscendence theory influenced by the sustainable behavior and attitude toward the biophilic design of older adults? Background: Improving perceptions of aging is vital for positively impacting both the biological and societal aspects of the global aging phenomenon. Methods: The study utilized a mixed-method design. Initially, 300 older Turkish adults completed self-reported measures including the Gerotranscendence Scale (GS), Pro-environmental Behavior (PB), Environmental Identity Scale (EID), Biophilic Design Importance Level (BDI), and Inclusion of Nature in the Self Scale (INS). Subsequently, the second phase involved diary logs from 30 participants who volunteered during the initial phase. Results: Results indicated that a higher importance level placed on biophilic design was linked to a greater inclusion of nature in the self. Moreover, a stronger interest in nature correlated positively with the gerotranscendence experience. Conclusions: The results bring significant attention to biophilic design, especially its relevance in supporting sustainable environmental behaviors and positive aging.
Open Access
Effects of biophilic design on sustainable behaviors: introducing the use of serious game as a measure of sustainable behavior
(Emerald, 2024-09-11) Özgen Turan, Dilay Seda; Afacan, Yasemin; Sürer, Elif
###### **Purpose** This study explores the impact of biophilic design in built environments on sustainable behaviors through the innovative use of a serious game. By examining how exposure to biophilic elements influences behaviors in real and virtual settings, the research aims to demonstrate the potential of serious games as tools for promoting sustainability. ###### **Design/methodology/approach** The study was conducted in three distinct experimental settings: (1) a real environment pre-game, (2) a non-immersive game environment within the same real setting, and (3) an immersive game environment post-game. Data were collected from 162 participants who experienced these different conditions. The serious game “Pop a Coffee Corner” was developed based on biophilic design principles and used to assess behavioral changes. ###### **Findings** Results indicated that exposure to biophilic design elements in real settings significantly enhanced sustainable behaviors compared to non-biophilic environments. Additionally, playing the serious game in a biophilic environment led to even greater improvements in sustainable behavior than exposure to biophilic design alone. This demonstrates the effectiveness of serious games in fostering sustainable actions. ###### **Research limitations/implications** The study’s findings are based on a specific university setting, which may limit generalizability. Future research could explore long-term impacts and applications in diverse contexts. ###### **Practical implications** The research provides practical guidelines for incorporating biophilic design in built environments, and developing serious games can be a practical strategy for architects, urban planners, and educators to promote sustainable behaviors among individuals. This approach can be applied in educational settings, public spaces, and workplaces to foster a deeper connection with nature and encourage environmentally responsible behaviors. ###### **Social implications** By demonstrating the effectiveness of biophilic design and serious games in promoting sustainable behaviors, this study contributes to broader societal efforts to address environmental challenges. Implementing these strategies can lead to increased environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviors, ultimately supporting sustainability goals. ###### **Originality/value** This study introduces the serious game approach as a novel method to evaluate and promote sustainable behaviors through biophilic design. It highlights the potential for integrating biophilic elements in both real and virtual environments to encourage environmentally responsible behavior, offering valuable insights to architects, designers, and policymakers.
Open Access
Evaluating the relationship between visual privacy and work-process interactions in open-plan offices: a space syntax approach
(Emerald, 2024-11-13) Güler, Gizem Yenel; Demirkan, Halime
Purpose - Previous studies on privacy in offices have primarily focused on the characteristics of generic visibility, examining the entire visible space from each workspace in 360 degrees. Nevertheless, employees in their workspaces investigate the visual targets within their binocular vision at 120 degrees. Therefore, by adopting the affordances perspective, this study aims to examine deeply generic and targeted visibility in open-plan offices and their relationship to interactions. Design/methodology/approach - The study consisted of two phases utilizing space syntax techniques. Initially, work-process interactions of the employees were determined through the survey. The survey data underwent spatial analysis to calculate the number of work-process interactions. Subsequently, DepthMapX software was used for visibility analyses. A new Python script for DepthMapX was developed to analyse the targeted visibility ratio. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the number of work-process interactions with generic and targeted visibility parameters. Findings - The findings revealed that a higher number of visible employees within the 120-degree and 360-degree fields of vision corresponded to a lower number of work-process interactions in open-plan offices. Furthermore, the study establishes a direct link between visual privacy and interaction, indicating that increased visibility leads to decreased visual privacy. Originality/value - The current research concluded that the relationship between visual privacy and interaction in open-plan offices differs from the previous studies, as employees with low visual privacy and high visibility tend to engage in fewer interactions. Overall, this study highlights that increased employee visibility is not directly associated with increased interaction in open-plan offices unless adequate visual privacy is provided.
Open Access
Analyzing the key architectural and structural factors in the formation oftall timber projects in Europe
(Cogent OA, 2024-05-13) Ilgın, H.E.; Aslantamer, Özlem Nur
As tall wooden structures emerge as a burgeoning and promising sector, offering consider-able ecological and financial benefits across their life cycles, their prevalence is on the rise,particularly in Europe. However, the current corpus of literature fails to offer a detailedassessment of the fundamental architectural and structural planning parameters forEuropean tall timber towers ( 9 stories). To span this gap and improve the comprehensionof the developing European tendencies, this study meticulously examined information from33 tall timber towers in Europe. The principal findings uncovered the following: (i) tall tim-ber buildings predominantly favored residential applications as their primary function, (ii)the prevailing preference for the central core arrangement was evident, (iii) the most preva-lent design preference for tall timber buildings was prismatic forms, (iv) widespread adop-tion of composite materials was evident, with combinations of timber and concrete beingparticularly prominent, and (v) the structural systems were primarily characterized by shear-frame configurations. By revealing these present-day attributes of tall wooden towers inEurope, this article is anticipated to offer valuable insights to architectural designers, assist-ing and directing them in the formulation and implementation of forthcoming develop-ments in this domain.
Open Access
A corpus-based approach to define Turkish soundscapes attributes
(Acoustical Soc Amer Amer Inst Physics, 2023-03) Yılmazer, Semiha; Dalirnaghadeh, Donya; Fasllija, Ela; Alimadhi, Enkela; Şahin, Zekiye; Mercan, Elif
Open Access
A vector classifier for sound similarity classification based on audio features
(Acoustical Soc Amer Amer Inst Physics, 2023-03) Yılmazer, Cengiz; Yılmazer, Semiha
Open Access
Using audio content and emotional response to predict soundscape perception through machine learning
(Acoustical Soc Amer Amer Inst Physics, 2023-03) Yılmazer, Semiha; Acun, Volkan
Open Access
A preliminary field experiment to predict soundscape perception based on the biophilia hypothesis paradigm
(Acoustical Soc Amer Amer Inst Physics, 2023-03) Yılmazer, Semiha; Alimadhi, Enkela
Open Access
Investigating the impacts of shaded outdoor spaces on thermal adaptation and cognitive performance of university students in classroom environments
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023-12) Gündoğdu, Betül; Nouri, A. Santos; Afacan, Yasemin; Matzarakis, A.
Shading strategies are effective means to reduce urban risk factors such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. The influence of shaded outdoor spaces on university students’ thermal adaptability and cognitive performance is limited researched. The study aims at evaluating the effect of shaded outdoor spaces upon thermal comfort; and, linking such results upon university students’ cognitive performance in a classroom environment with natural ventilation. A case study was conducted with students the ages of 19–22 at Bilkent University in Ankara, during the mid-season in October. The quantitative microclimatic conditions of the university campus’s unshaded/shaded areas and indoor studios were obtained through Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index. The qualitative evaluation was undertaken by the adaptive model and thermal comfort survey. D2 test of attention was conducted to measure cognitive performance of students. This study revealed that the shade may increase thermal adaptation with the lowest mean PET of 18.7°C, while the highest mean PET of 33.2°C was obtained in sun-exposed space. Also, experiencing shaded outdoor space contributed to an improvement in concentration performance (CP) of students resulting in the mean CP score of 182.8, while those with sun-exposed outdoor space experience had the mean CP score of 167.6 within studios.
Open Access
Investigating the potential of transparent parallel-arranged micro-perforated panels (MPPs) as sound absorbers in classrooms
(MDPI AG, 2023-01-13) Fasllija, Ela; Yılmazer, Semiha
Acoustic deficiencies due to lack of absorption in indoor spaces may sometime render significant buildings unfit for their purpose, especially the ones used as speech auditoria. This study investigates the potential of designing wideband acoustic absorbers composed of parallel arranged micro-perforated panels (MPPs), known as efficient absorbers that do not need any other fibrous/porous material to have a high absorptive performance. It aims to integrate architectural trends such as transparency and the use of raw materials with acoustical constraints to ensure optimal indoor acoustic conditions. It proposes a structure composed of four parallel-arranged MPPs, which have been theoretically modelled using the electrical Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM) and implemented on an acrylic prototype using recent techniques such as CNC machining tools. The resulting samples are experimentally analysed for their absorption efficiency through the ISO-10534-2 method in an impedance tube. The results show that the prediction model and the experimental data are in good agreement. Afterward, the investigation focuses on applying the most absorptive MPP structure in a classroom without acoustic treatment through numerical simulations in ODEON 16 Acoustics Software. When the proposed material is installed as a wall panel, the results show an improvement toward optimum values in Reverberation Time (RT30) and Speech Transmission Index (STI).
Open Access
Detection and quantification of seasonal human heat and cold stress frequencies in representative existing and future urban canyons: the case of Ankara
(Springer Wien, 2023-05-27) Nouri, Andre Santos; Charalampopoulos, I.; Afacan, Yasemin; Matzarakis, A.
Based upon a ‘human-centred approach’, combinations of existing and new methodologies were applied to determine how Ankara’s morphological characteristics influenced the magnitude/frequency of Cold Stress (CS) and Heat Stress (HS) to detect/quantify seasonal and yearly human thermal stress frequency. To quantify these conditions upon the human biometeorological system, the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) was utilised by processing climatic variables from Ankara’s Meteorological Station (AMS). In situ assessments of human thermophysiological thresholds were undertaken within characteristic existing/future Urban Canyon Cases (UCCs), with a further stipulation of three interior Reference Points (RPs). Indoor PET values were moreover calculated within a stereotypical vulnerable residential dwelling. Seasonal frequencies revealed that winter PET values frequently ranged between 0.0 and − 19.9 °C, with corresponding summer values frequently ranging between 35.1 and 46.0 °C. Accounting for Ankara’s urban morphology, yearly frequency of No Thermal Stress remained at ~ 48%, CS remained at ~ 26%, and HS ~ 28%. HS varied the most between the eight evaluated Aspect Ratios (ARs). It reduced by up to 7.1% (114 min) within the Centre (RP$_{C}$) area of UCCs with an orientation of 90°. Out of twelve orientations, the highest HS frequency took place between 105 and 135°. Including in UCC$_{3.50}$, the frequency of HS almost always remained above 72% (2592 min).
Open Access
An international survey on residential lighting: Analysis of summer-term results
(Elsevier, 2023-01-09) Aslanoğlu, Rengin ; Kazak, J. K.; Yekanialibeiglou, Sepideh; Pracki, P.; Ulusoy, Begüm
Obtaining visual comfort, satisfaction and well-being in residential interiors are now becoming more important, especially in times of extreme events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It also became important to collect users' evaluations and their own solutions for residential lighting in order to improve the current lighting conditions. For this aim, with a group of international and inter-disciplinary researchers, a comprehensive study was conducted. This study is the last part of a three-stage investigation aimed at increasing our knowledge of the current lighting conditions in residential areas during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. For the current study, an online survey and in-depth interviews were conducted between June and August 2022 in Poland, Turkey, Sweden, and the U.K., with 520 participants. As results of this study show, a correlation was found between daylight satisfaction and its sufficiency. Similar correlations were found between artificial lighting satisfaction, its sufficiency, and its uniformity. The differences between seasons were detected for being very satisfied with daylight quality. Also, the correlation between satisfaction with daylighting and the ratio of windows showed difference among seasons. Stronger correlations between satisfaction with artificial lighting, its sufficiency and uniformity were found in summerterm according to winter-term results. Correlations between artificial lighting brightness – CRI and uniformity weakened in summer-term. Results from open-ended questions and in-depth interviews showed, removing the shading device and augmenting the characteristics of artificial lighting were the mostly done adjustments during the COVID- 19 pandemic. The most prominent theme is visual comfort according to the in-depth interview responses.'
Open Access
Audience behavior in immersive theatre: an environment-behavior studies analysis of Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More
(Routledge, 2023-03-08) Gezgin, Özlem; İmamoğlu, Çağrı
Place can shape and influence audience behavior during a performance. This is especially noticeable in the site-specific immersive theatre model, where the performance occurs in a non-theatre setting and audiences have an active role. In this article, we argue that ‘place schema’ – a term from the interdisciplinary field of environment-behavior studies – provides a conceptual framework for better understanding audience behavior within immersive theatre environments. We know how to behave in a theatre building because we have codified experiences regarding the environment in our minds called place schemata. They help us process spatial information, predict what is likely to happen, and decide how to take action accordingly. However, if this spatial information does not match the ‘theatre schema’ we have in our minds, as is often the case in an immersive theatre setting, we would need to update our existing schema. In this article, we examine Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More (2011 New York production, which is still running) to evaluate how audiences carry the behavioral rules of traditional theatre schema into immersive theatres and consider how expectations, roles, and rules of place influence the relationship between the audience and setting.
Open Access
Exploring designers’ finishing materials selection for residential interior spaces
(2023-03-06) Altay, Burçak; Salcı, E.
The increasing diversity of materials creates many possibilities and constraints that designers have to consider when selecting materials for projects. While the literature has investigated materials selection in engineering, product, and architectural design, knowledge is still lacking in interior design. Accordingly, this study focused on interior finishing materials with three objectives: (1) explore the determinants of materials selection in interior design, and within the residential design context, (2) identify designers’ finishing material preferences and selection criteria for floors, walls, and ceilings; (3) investigate designers’ criteria prioritizations while selecting materials. For this we conducted one-to-one interviews with architects and interior designers specializing in residential spaces. We first explored their material selection considerations in general. Second, we documented their material designations in residential project entry halls they had designed along with their selection criteria. Third, we presented an entry hall of a residential space for them to choose the materials while we questioned them about their materials selection priorities. The results reveal that the main determinants of materials selection include material-related, project-related, and designer-related factors. Moreover, materials choices and selection criteria vary between surfaces in space. Finally, the designers give the most priority to sensorial properties and the least to ecological properties. These findings expand our knowledge about materials in interior design, enhance the knowledge base for materials education, and have implications for designers and manufacturers regarding selecting and designing finishing materials.
Embargo
Establishing initial urban bioclimatic planning recommendations for Ankara to address existing and future urban thermophysiological risk factors
(Elsevier, 2023-05) Nouri, A. Santos; Rodriguez-Algecíras, J.; Matzarakis, A.
Focused on the case of Ankara, human thermophysiological thresholds were investigated in association with typical morphological characteristics to determine the frequency of seasonal Heat/Cold Stress. The study further developed methodical means to better understand the relationship with local radiation exposure within in-situ settings, allowing for the better understanding of seasonal thermophysiological exposure upon human biometeorology. To approach future vulnerability and frequency of thermophysiological stress, daily EURO-CORDEX data was processed to determine Representative Concentration Pathway scenario projections (for air temperature and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET)). The study highlighted the already significant urban frequencies of heat stress (ranging up to 82.7%) due to all districts witnessing an elevated frequency of low aspect ratios. The fewer mid-range aspect ratios also revealed to be frequently in orientations with higher heat stress susceptibilities (i.e., between 105° and 150°). Bioclimatic planning recommendations were presented for Ankara. Nevertheless, given the high vulnerability for existing/future urban human health and welfare, these recommendations were further associated with the call for immediate heat action plans and heat warning/mapping systems. In these first type of projections for Ankara, even for the milder/stabilization future scenario by 2100, PET based projections revealed frequencies remaining at 100% between 35.1 °C–41.1 °C, with further values exceeding 46.1 °C.