The Influence of Geometric Properties of Spandrel Wall on the Perception of Spatial Depth

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of spandrel wall geometry on spatial depth perception. Partition walls contribute to spatial organization and perceptual experiences, yet the specific effects of spandrel walls remain understudied. Using immersive virtual environment technology, we conducted controlled experiments to examine how spandrel wall height and position affect depth perception.Participants memorized the depth of a reference virtual space before adjusting the depth of a test space containing spandrel walls. Depth perception accuracy was measured based on the discrepancy between the memorized and adjusted depths. The study consisted of a preliminary experiment and two main experiments: Experiment 1 analyzed the effect of wall position (central vs. peripheral), while Experiment 2 examined both position and height variations.Results indicated significant perceptual distortions based on wall placement and height. Centrally positioned walls induced greater errors, particularly at a height of 1.0 m, suggesting a critical threshold for perceptual impact. At lower heights, position played a stronger role in depth perception, whereas at greater heights, the wall itself became the dominant factor. These findings reveal an interaction between position and height in defining spatial perception and functional space division.This study provides insights for architectural design, optimizing partition wall configurations to balance spatial continuity and segmentation. Future research should further explore additional spatial factors to refine these findings.

Keywords: Spandrel Wall, Geometric Properties, Virtual environment, Gaze Analysis, Pedestrian Behavior

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006617