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Spatial and Behavioural Cognition of Wayfinding System in Hospital Buildings in Terms of Oncology Patients’ Comfort

Weronika MAZURKIEWICZ

Weronika MAZURKIEWICZ

Associate Prof. (Dr. Eng. arch.); Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of ArchitectureGdansk, Poland
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MAZURKIEWICZ, Weronika
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Michał SITEK

Michał SITEK

Associate Prof. (Dr. Eng. arch.); Silesian University of Architecture, Faculty of ArchitectureGliwice, Poland
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SITEK, Michał
  
31 dic 2024
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Publicado en línea: 31 dic 2024
Páginas: 67 - 82
Recibido: 04 oct 2024
Aceptado: 14 dic 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2024-0029
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© 2024 Weronika MAZURKIEWICZ et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Figure 1.

Legend of the values of syntactic measures
Legend of the values of syntactic measures

Figure 2.

First floor of the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice; two variants of the changes made. Variant A and Variant B in Model 1
First floor of the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice; two variants of the changes made. Variant A and Variant B in Model 1

Figure 3.

Diagram of the conventional division of the first floor of the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice
Diagram of the conventional division of the first floor of the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice

Figure 4.

Left: Model 1 – Branch divided into closed and open spaces (accessible to external users). Open spaces filled with paint. Right: Model 2 – all offices open to users.
Left: Model 1 – Branch divided into closed and open spaces (accessible to external users). Open spaces filled with paint. Right: Model 2 – all offices open to users.

Figure 5.

The indicated decision points. Left: waiting room. Right: main hall by the patient lifts
The indicated decision points. Left: waiting room. Right: main hall by the patient lifts

Figure 6.

Example results of users’ behaviour mapping for the patient route to mammography registration (W1)
Example results of users’ behaviour mapping for the patient route to mammography registration (W1)

Figure 7.

Results of users’ behaviour mapping for the patient route to Nuclear Medicine Department (W3)
Results of users’ behaviour mapping for the patient route to Nuclear Medicine Department (W3)

Figure 8.

Survey results regarding the criteria of analysis according to the age groups
Survey results regarding the criteria of analysis according to the age groups

Figure 9.

The obtained data were analysed and grouped according to the specific of each factor (as it is presented in Table 3)
The obtained data were analysed and grouped according to the specific of each factor (as it is presented in Table 3)

Figure 10.

Visual step depth for the starting point
Visual step depth for the starting point

Figure 11.

VGA analysis of model 1 connectivity parameter (min. 15 – max. 2163)
VGA analysis of model 1 connectivity parameter (min. 15 – max. 2163)

Figure 12.

VGA analysis of model 2. Connectivity parameter (min. 6 – max. 2208)
VGA analysis of model 2. Connectivity parameter (min. 6 – max. 2208)

Figure 13.

Variant A in Model 1: One corridor closed to users
Variant A in Model 1: One corridor closed to users

Figure 14.

VGA analysis for Variant A in model 1. Connectivity parameter (min 4 – max 629)
VGA analysis for Variant A in model 1. Connectivity parameter (min 4 – max 629)

Figure 15.

Visual step depth – comparison of the situation before and after the Variant A
Visual step depth – comparison of the situation before and after the Variant A

Figure 16.

Variant B in Model 1. Separate the two zones (right and left) by adding one door and closing one corridor in the section leading to the diagnostic imaging space to outside users
Variant B in Model 1. Separate the two zones (right and left) by adding one door and closing one corridor in the section leading to the diagnostic imaging space to outside users

Figure 17.

VGA analysis for variant B in model 1 – part I. Connectivity parameter (min. 26 – max. 1635)
VGA analysis for variant B in model 1 – part I. Connectivity parameter (min. 26 – max. 1635)

Figure 18.

VGA analysis for variant B in model 1 – part II and III. Connectivity parameter (min. 15 – max. 1605
VGA analysis for variant B in model 1 – part II and III. Connectivity parameter (min. 15 – max. 1605

Figure 19.

Visual step depth for variant B – part I
Visual step depth for variant B – part I

Figure 20.

Visual step depth for variant B – part II and III
Visual step depth for variant B – part II and III

Figure 21.

A diagram of the process of examining the space of complex buildings in terms of wayfinding systems
A diagram of the process of examining the space of complex buildings in terms of wayfinding systems

Wayfinding experiences indicated by patients and staff (in terms of criteria included in Table 2)

Criteria of analysis Meaning of the indicated space features Behavioural interpretation
A. spatial features determining orientation in the building
A2. Characteristic elements in the space (landmarks) Confusing movement to destination, asking people/staff for directions Stress, sense of confusion,
A4. Zoning of the functional areas in the building, difference in areas and buildings at the site Unconscious movement to destination, difficult finding the desired location, The embarrassment of having to ask staff for directions
B. features of the existing visual identity system
B1. Visibility of visual identification system Location of signage in areas not visible from the initial decision point, difficult to find the right sign Visual and cognitive barriers
B2. Legibility of the signage system Directional signage located under the ceiling is not always legible, too little signage to see from a distance, and incomprehensible names of the locations Visual barriers
B3. Characteristic signs in the circular area Individual landmarks, e.g. fishes, pots of greenery, green steps Difficulties in building the mental maps
C. behavioural factors
C1. Overloading of distractors and obscuring elements Older patients have indicated confusion with many information and inconsistent nomenclature Confusion, stress
C2. Cognitive bariers Unintelligible names of medical functions Confusion

Main results of research walks

Criteria of analysis Characteristics of the indicated features of the space Proposed methods of further research
A. spatial features determining orientation in the building
A1. Legibility of the communication layout illegibility of the communication layout, numerous staircases that are not distinguished in the communication space S
A2. Characteristic elements in the space (landmarks) few landmarks to help remember routes, Q
A3. Visual accessibility of the destination/decision point insufficient differentiation of the target points in the communication space (no colour codes, no characteristic elements of the equipment) S
A4. Zoning of the functional areas in the building, difference in areas and buildings at the site No clear functional zones, no colour codes applied consistently, Excessive colour elements without a coherent system Q/S
A5. Number of changes in direction along each route multiple changes of direction S
A6. Location of vertical communication Failure to distinguish the location of staircases in the communication space S
B. features of the existing visual identity system
B1. Visibility of visual identification system Location of signage in areas not visible from the initial decision point Q/S
B2. Legibility of the signage system Directional signage located under the ceiling is not always legible Q
B3. Characteristic signs in the circular area Individual landmarks, e.g., fishes, pots of greenery, murals with nature motives Q
C. behavioural factors
C1. Overloading of distractors and obscuring elements Too much information posted, information posted is misleading (no update of information posted) Q
C2. Cognitive bariers Unintelligible names of medical functions Q
Explanation: Q – qualitative research; S – simulation research

The identified key issues for planning the research on wayfinding systems in hospitals

Main architectural components of wayfinding system Exploratory walks Detected results Space Syntax Detected results Complementary simulation method
legibility of the communication layout * * *
Characteristic elements in the space (landmarks) * *
Visual accessibility of the destination/decision point * * *
Zoning of the functional areas in the building, difference in areas and buildings at the site * *
Visibility of visual identification system * *
Legibility of the signage system * *
Number of changes in direction along each route * *
Overloading of distractors and obscuring elements * *
Characteristic points and functions in the circular area * *

List of research methods used in the project

Research method Main analyse criteria
Exploratory walks involving volunteers (n=22)

direction and location signs: visibility of signs and their location, legibility of text;

occurrence of landmarks,

characteristics of landmarks: legibility and visibility of the existing visual identity system using volunteers’ perception
Exploratory walks involving patients (n=8)

characteristic features of the space (landmarks, interior colours, furnishings, graphic elements, views from the window, etc.).

legibility and visibility of the existing visual identity system using patient’s perception
Mapping the behaviours

identification of spatial features, user behaviour and phenomena and their location on object projections, definition of decision points
Space Syntax methodology

checking the visual step depth (Visual step depth) for the selected starting point in the first floor and analysing building interiors as the visibility graph analysis (VGA)
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Temas de la revista:
Arquitectura y diseño, Arquitectura, Arquitectos, edificios
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