The Impact of Color and Texture on Wayfinding in Healthcare Building Circulation Areas

Abstract

People's ability to perceive space is a consequence of their perception bonding with their surroundings, which allows them to communicate with space. Individuals see the physical components of the environment first, and then their behavior is shaped by their perceptions. People use the physical components of spaces as a point of reference when they are wayfinding in the circulation areas that link the spaces. In this context, users become stressed and lose time when navigating the circulation areas of large, complex buildings, which discourages them from using the space. The purpose of this study is to identify the colors and textures that influence how well people navigate around the circulation areas of healthcare facilities. The digital environment was used to model the Konya City Hospital's circulation area, which was identified as the sample area. A route was made, and the animation and three-dimensional visuals were produced based on the variables. Memorability and orientation decision levels were assessed in the context of wayfinding using the survey technique. As a result of the survey conducted on a total of 399 people, it was analyzed that people remembered the orange color and wood-textured surface coverings and requested orientation.

Keywords

• spatial perception
• color and texture
• health structures
• circulation
• wayfinding.
• mekânsal algı
• renk ve doku
• sağlık yapıları
• sirkülasyon
• yön bulma.