The effect of spatial configuration on social interaction: a syntactic evaluation of a faculty building

Abstract

The properties of physical environment affect the psychological processes of the individuals and groups using that environment and their socialization with their environment. Every physical environment includes the existence of a social environment and every social environment includes the existence of a physical environment; because socialization is one of the basic human needs. The fulfillment of this basic requirement is possible when the spaces are designed in a way to have properties giving opportunities to social interaction. Among education spaces faculty buildings are social environments giving opportunity to young people to socialize, share interests, have relation with each other, develop the relationship within groups and belonging feelings. Social behaviors, social interactions and gathering areas of students in faculty buildings are important issues from the point of architectural programming and architectural design performance. This study is depended on the evaluation of social environments in faculty buildings considering the students’ social interactions upon the selected faculty building. In the scope of this evaluation long term observations directed at the determination of students social interactions and gathering areas will be done, the plan of the building will be analyzed through Syntax 2D and as a result the effect of the spatial configuration on social interaction will be evaluated.

Keywords: Space syntax, environment-human behaviour, spatial configuration, social interaction, faculty buildings.