Full Length Research Paper

The effects of training and spatial experience on the perception of the interior of buildings with a high level of complexity

M. Lutfi Hidayetoglu¹*, Kemal Yildirim² and Kubulay Cagatay²

¹Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.

²Department of Furniture and Decoration, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mlhidayeoglu@secuk.edu.tr.

Tel: +90 332 223 10 49. Fax: +90 332 241 30 28.

Accepted 25 January, 2010

   Abstract

The high level of complexity that is a compulsory result of the complex plan schemes worsens the perception and usage of locations. It was attempted in this research to determine the effects of education in architecture and spatial experience on the spatial complexity and the evaluations of the perception performance in the education buildings that have a high level of complexity. The research included the Selcuk University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture building and the students using this building. The subjects were asked about usage of the location and their spatial perception performance. Experiments were made on their recollection levels of the locations they use. Statistical analyses and reliability tests were made on the data obtained. Consequently, it was determined that training of the students did not cause a statistically significant variety in their perception of the buildings with a high level of complexity. The buildings evaluated as complex were then evaluated as simpler through an increase in experience.

Key words: Architectural plan, indoors, level of complexity, spatial perception, experience.