Designing Non-Contact Interior Space for Space Users' Sense of Safety

Abstract: During the pandemic that lasted for over three years, the physical aspect of spatial distancing caused a change in lifestyle and was accompanied by psychological distress. The psychological distress caused by physical disconnection exists alongside a tendency to maintain a certain distance from others due to the anxiety felt when sharing space with others. This inclination to maintain an appropriate distance from others may continue in the post-pandemic era. The purpose of this study is to understand the perception of space users regarding design elements for non-contact interior spaces and to propose appropriate interpersonal distances based on different spatial characteristics. To achieve this, surveys were conducted to grasp the perception of non-contact space design elements. Additionally, experiments were carried out in a variable experimental environment. As a result, the importance of design elements for non-contact spaces, including natural ventilation, air filtering and circulation systems, windows/doors, and space density. In the absence of windows, regardless of the ceiling height, there was a trend of decreasing public distance as the space area increased. When the ceiling height was 2.4 m and windows were present, there was a trend of decreasing public distance as the space area expanded. Given the lack of clearly defined space design from a psychological perspective, this study has provided the necessity and direction for user-centered space design.

Keywords: Non-Contact, Interior Space, Sense of Safety, Proxemics, Interpersonal Distance

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004256

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