Legibility of Spatial Layout of Architectural Elements and Spatial Cognition in 3-dimensional Space —A Case Study in a Commercial Complex in Shanghai

摘要

Passini (1984) defined "way-finding" as finding one's way to a destination and spatial problem solving comprising three interdependent processes: spatial cognition establishing, decision making and decision executing. The processes of making and executing decisions are built upon both perception and cognition, which are the two basic components of information processing, which permit the other two processes to occur (Tawfiq M. Abu-Ghazzeh, 1996). As we know, people rely on numerous types of factors to way-finding. However, the conclusion that "the complexity of a floor plan configuration is the primary influence on way-finding". This is supported by many researchers and has been demonstrated a lot (Weisman, 1981; Passini, 1984; Bronzaft & Dobrow, 1984; O'Neill, 1991; Passini, 1992), which beyond all doubt has been expatiated primely from the point of view of "plan layout" in terms of architecture. Nevertheless, the feel in a real space is not always equivalent to the analysis due to the plan study, and may even reverse (Steffen Werner & Paul Long, 2002). This issue studies the spatial cognition process that occurred in "complicated commercial space", while considers the legibility of spatial layout of three basic architectural elements of "path, atrium and vertical access" that composing the 3-dimensional space as object. According to the measures of questionnaire, lingual description, cognitive mapping and position signing, this issue investigates: 1) the legibility of spatial layout of these three architectural elements and their internal correlation; 2) how way-finding information of orientation, whole layout and so forth that three elements communicate to users impacts way-finding process of spatial cognition.