The Basic Experiment on Relation Between a Perception of Volume, Spatial Impression and the Space Occupied in the Room

HASHIMOTO Masayoshi

Department of Human Life and Environment, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Heian Jogakuin (St.Agnes') University
hasimoto@tk.heian.ac.jp

Abstract:

The room is constructed with three factors (i.e. a floor, a wall and a ceiling). With all of these factors, it is an important to our living. However, we are living using various furnishings. As a result, we have to investigate how do residents feel and perceive in the room that various furnishings.
The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect that shape and position of "the space occupied" have on perception of room volume and spatial impressions. The various shape and position of "the space occupied" is presented randomly. In experiment 1, The Method of Magnitude Estimation is used; subjects are then compared the volumes of two rooms. In experiment 2, subjects are then asked spatial impressions on 3 topics (i.e. sense of oppressed, feeling of cramped, feeling of comfortable). Subjects are 20 persons (the male:10, the female:10).
The results are summarized as below;
1).Perception of room volume is influenced on differences in the type of "the space occupied."
2).Perceived room volume is smaller than an actual room volume.
3).Spatial impressions are influenced on differences in the size of "the space occupied."
4).Perception of room volume and spatial impressions has highly correlated with the wall area that covered by "the space occupied."