| Title |
Partitioning Without Walls: Effects of Visual Zoning Elements on Spatial Experience in Multi-Functional Spaces |
| Authors |
박현준(Park, Hyunjoon) ; 정지혜(Jeong, Jihye) ; 이가은(Lee, Gaeun) ; 박재홍(Park, Jaehong) ; 최경아(Choi, Kyungah) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.14774/JKIID.2026.35.4.131 |
| Keywords |
Visual Zoning; Multi-functional space; Coworking space; Interior architecture elements; Spatial experience |
| Abstract |
Multi-functional spaces require zoning strategies that differentiate areas for distinct activities while maintaining spatial continuity. This study examines how variations in materials, color, lighting, and ceiling height differentiate adjacent activity areas without physical partitions. It further investigates the effects of these design variations on boundary perception, harmony satisfaction, and psychological indicators of spatial experience. A virtual reality (VR) experiment was conducted using a coworking lounge as a representative environment. Forty participants experienced connected spatial conditions in which materials, color contrasts, lighting, and ceiling heights were systematically manipulated. After viewing each condition, participants evaluated boundary perception and harmony satisfaction, selected the area considered more suitable for work, and assessed concentration, privacy, stability, and territoriality. The results showed that the four design elements played different roles in shaping boundary perception, harmony satisfaction, and work-area experience. Ceiling height provided the most balanced performance when boundary perception and harmony satisfaction were considered together, while color served as an effective visual cue for spatial recognition. Lighting contributed primarily to harmony satisfaction and concentration, with indirect lighting showing a positive effect on focus. Materials produced the clearest differences across psychological indicators within the work area; in particular, the carpet-tile combination showed balanced performance, and carpet received particularly favorable evaluations for privacy and stability. These findings suggest that, rather than relying on a single design element, designers can selectively combine materials, color, lighting, and ceiling height to differentiate activity areas while balancing boundary recognition, spatial coherence, and work-area experience. |