Assessing the impact of double-skin façades on social activities of people in urban spaces using empirical and syntactical analysis

Abstract

Despite the fact that previous literature has validated the significant role of urban facades in the initiation of social behaviors, there is still an existing scientific gap regarding the impact of double-skin facades on the establishment of social activities within an urban context. The main objective of the present study is to scrutinize the impact of double-skin facades on the establishment of social activities. A quantitative and qualitative research method was applied using Space Syntax and empirical observations methods. A t-test was also used to compare the independent groups using the SPSS software. The results indicated that the establishment of social and behavioral activities in front of double-skin facades were found to be significantly higher than single-skin facades. Meanwhile, the types of observed behaviors in front of double-skin facades were found to be more social and optional compared to those observed in front of single-skin facades. The implication of this study may contribute to urban and landscape designers, planners, and architects, and assist them in creating a more socially sustainable and walkable built environment.

Keywords

• double-skin façade
• informal behavioral setting
• social activities
• space syntax
• urban landscape