Spatial structure of Yangzhou’ s old public bathrooms: a space syntax analysis of the topological characteristics of their unique sensory space

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sensory experience is vital in creating a local identity in historical buildings and should ideally be conserved along with basic spatial structure. Hence, this study explores the relation between the spatial structure and thermal sensation experience by systematically analysing the space syntax of Yangzhou’s four old public bathrooms. In this space syntax analysis, the spatial depths of Yangzhou’s old public bathrooms are arranged in descending order of thermal sensation. This model is unique in that it considers the thermal sensation experience; the “warm pool” room with the highest temperature is considered the origin of the thermal sensation experience and carrier of the building. This proposed model that includes thermal sensory experience is then compared with the typical spatial structure model. The study’s results support the first hypothesis that the four old bathrooms have a similar spatial structure. Further, they support the second hypothesis that the analysis is more valuable and clear when the sensory experience is incorporated into space syntax analyses. This study proposes a new method that combines the sensory experience with space syntax analysis to determine what to protect and also evaluate whether historical buildings preserve the local identity.