Spatial Design Research Articles

The Casco concept as an enabler for interdisciplinary design: Designing with flood risk in Venice, Italy

ABSTRACT The environmental crisis demands for an interdisciplinary design of urban infrastructure to increase resilience to climate change. Interdisciplinary design is about integration of data, concepts, ambitions and goals by bridging instrumental differences between engineering and spatial design. This paper presents the results of an interdisciplinary design study that deals with persistent flood issues in the Venice lagoon (Italy). The study illustrates how the differences in languages, methods and tools of the disciplines can be overcome by interdisciplinary collaboration directed towards the designing of spatial and technical solutions. Two design proposals are instrumentally described through the lens of the Casco and the Open Building concepts; both advocate the creation of an overarching frame as the basic condition for adaptive design. The paper gives insights on how to cooperate in interdisciplinary design settings in educational environments and builds knowledge on the collaboration between fields that might be relevant also for professional figures.

Designing Multi-Family Residences in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Addressing Workspace Privacy Needs

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected every aspect of human life. Among the myriad changes, it catalyzed a significant shift in the way we perceive and use our living spaces. The home, traditionally seen as a refuge from work and external pressures, rapidly became a multifunctional space, doubling as an office, school, gym, and recreation center. Before the pandemic, open-plan living was on the rise, championing multifunctional spaces. However, with the sudden need for remote work, the demand for dedicated home offices or quiet corners became evident. People began to value having a distinct, quiet workspace that would not disturb other members of the household. In this paper, we highlight the importance of incorporating a separate room, distanced from the main private areas of a home, during the early design stages. This approach enhances privacy and subsequently boosts the psychological well-being of the household occupants. The research contributes to building-system integration by demonstrating how architectural configurations and spatial design elements can be optimized to enhance building performance, functionality, and occupant comfort in multi-family residential structures. The aim of this study is to explore the correlations between spatial design quality and occupants’ productivity while working from home. It employs a mixed-methods approach that combines various techniques to provide comprehensive analyses.

Environmental Affordance for Physical Activity, Neurosustainability, and Brain Health: Quantifying the Built Environment’s Ability to Sustain BDNF Release by Reaching Metabolic Equivalents (METs)

Background/Objectives: Unlike enriched environments for rodents, human-built environments often hinder neuroplasticity through sedentary lifestyles, to which exercise can merely overcome its adverse effects. This paper introduces "environmental affordance for physical activity" to quantify the potential of spatial layout designs to stimulate activity and sustain neuroplasticity, mainly hippocampal neurogenesis. Methods: A novel framework links metabolic equivalents (METs) that can be afforded by the spatial layout of the built environment to its role in increasing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a biomarker that promotes and sustains adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Equations are developed to assess the built environment’s affordance for physical activity through BDNF changes measurable after brief exposure to the built environment for 20–35 min. Results: The developed equations are evidenced to be feasible to cause BDNF release through low- to moderate-intensity physical activity. This model provides a feasible assessment tool to test the built environment’s effectiveness towards neurosustainability. Conclusions: By sustaining neurogenesis, the environmental affordance for physical activity holds promise for improving mental health and preventing cognitive decline.

Israel’s planning historiography: interrogating spatio-temporal discourse and ‘whiteness’

ABSTRACT In this study, I aim to critically examine the Israeli planning discourse related to the execution of the first national masterplan for Jewish population dispersion in Israel's history, the ‘Sharon Plan’. I argue that the discursive justification of the Population Dispersion Policy, as presented in Israel's planning historiography, provides planning, cultural, moral and economic advantages to the dispersion of Middle-Eastern and North African Jews (‘Mizrahi’ Jews), used to de-Arabise them as a project of ‘whiteness’. Subsequently, I analyse the three-dimensional language initiated in the Sharon Plan – Land, People and Time dimensions – though three main motifs: the ‘making the desert bloom’ motif, the modernistic progress motif, and the urgency motif. On a larger theoretical scale, I suggest reinvestigating how spatial design and national planning historiographies racialise social groups. Methodologically, I apply the Cultural Approach to Critical Discourse Analysis on a case study that engages the built environment, by assembling a corpus that includes the masterplan, Arieh Sharon's lectures and articles collected at the Azrieli Architectural Archive of Tel-Aviv Art Museum, and three planning and architectural exhibitions’ catalogues. I analyse the corpus by reading and observing every item to pursue shared motifs within the historical planning discourse.

From traditional to digital contexts: new characteristics of the public’s spatial perception of urban streets in the age of technology

The constant development of internet technology in the digital age has changed the way people interact with space. To explore whether and what changes have occurred in the public’s spatial perception of the street during the shift from the traditional to the digital age, this paper compares the public’s spatial perception characteristics in the two contexts through a classical theory review and empirical coding analysis with the Xiaolouxiang historic district as an empirical case. The frameworks of public spatial perception characteristics are similar in both contexts, with a focus on the three dimensions of objects, buildings and spaces, and activities. However, compared with that in the traditional context, the public’s spatial perception of the street in the digital context of Xiaolouxiang has undergone new changes in three aspects: from focusing on the three-dimensional experience of space to focusing on the two-dimensional visual aesthetics of space, from emphasizing spatial totality to focusing on spatial details, and from focusing on the use of space to emphasizing the cultural characteristics of space. Research emphasizes that, within the context of digitalization, spatial design should place greater emphasis on visual aesthetics, detail processing, and cultural expression to better meet the needs and expectations of the public. This work identifies new features of the public’s perception of urban street space in the context of digitalization and accordingly provides suggestions for the future design of urban street space. The findings of this study not only enrich the foundational research content of spatial perception theory but also offer new perspectives for designers and planners in the practice of urban block renovation.

Advanced Biofuel Value Chains Sourced by New Cropping Systems With Low iLUC Risk

ABSTRACTIncreasing lignocellulosic feedstock for advanced biofuels can tackle the decarbonization of the transport sector. Dedicated biomass produced alongside food systems with low indirect land use change (iLUC) impact can broaden the feedstock availability, thus streamlining the supply chains. The objective of this study was the design and evaluation of advanced ethanol value chains for the Emilia‐Romagna region based on low iLUC feedstock. Two dedicated lignocellulosic crops (biomass sorghum and sunn hemp) were evaluated in double cropping systems alongside food crop residues (corn stover and wheat straw) as sources to simulate the value chains. A parcel‐level regional analysis was carried out, then the LocaGIStics2.0 model was used for the spatial design and review of the biomass delivery chain options regarding cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the different feedstock mixes. Literature data on bioethanol production from similar feedstocks were used to estimate yields, process costs, and GHG emissions of a biorefinery process based on these biomasses. Within the chain options, GHG emissions were overly sensitive to cultivation input, mostly N‐fertilization. This considered, GHG emissions resulted similar across different feedstock with straw/stover (averaging 13 g CO2eq MJ−1 fuel), sunn hemp (14 g CO2eq MJ−1 fuel), and biomass sorghum (16 g CO2eq MJ−1 fuel). On the other hand, the bioethanol produced from biomass sorghum (608 € Mg−1 of bioethanol) was cheaper compared with straw (632 € Mg−1), sunn hemp (672 € Mg−1), and stover (710 € Mg−1). The bioethanol cost ranged from 0.0017 to 0.020 € MJ−1 fuel depending on the feedstock, with operations and maintenance impacting up to 90% of the final cost. In summary, a single bioethanol plant with an annual capacity of 250,000 Mg of biomass could replace from 5% to 7% of the Emilia‐Romagna's ethanol fuel consumption, depending on the applied sourcing scenario.

Psychological Understanding for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency through Spatial Design

Children’s delinquent behaviour which is often met with rejection and misinterpretation of their immediate environment necessitates specific treatment for juveniles. The continuous rise in juvenile offences in India, particularly in crowded urban areas, has been an urgent challenge in recent years. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 31,170 cases have been registered against juveniles in 2021, with a 4.7% increase over 2020. At the crux of such deviance is deprivation, poor-quality environment, and ignorance of its value causing adverse childhood experiences, social problems, and mental disorders. Neighbourhood design affects a person’s behaviour, directly influencing deviance, or creating a hostile communal bond with a juvenile who might eventually exhibit deviance. This study investigates the intersection of psychology, architecture, and policies regarding juvenile crime prevention at the neighbourhood scale. It explores how the built environment influences the behaviour and development of children, and how strategic design interventions can prevent juvenile delinquency. The study also examines the CPTED approach of various countries to understand the design principles that influence social behaviour. The inferences drawn are applied to understand crime preventive design strategies in Indian urban low-income neighbourhoods with higher juvenile crime rates. While CPTED focuses on general crime prevention strategies, juvenile crimes, which require a more comprehensive approach and an understanding of the root causes of future crimes, have not been delved into. Hence, this paper proposes an integrated framework that promotes holistic neighbourhood design to prevent juvenile delinquency by creating safe, inclusive communities that nurture positive youth development.

Interpreting the space characteristics of everyday heritage gardens of Suzhou, China, through a space syntax approach

ABSTRACT China’s everyday heritage gardens, epitomizing social and spatial logic through classical layouts, offer a window into the nexus between Chinese culture and spatial design. Using space syntax and statistical methods, we examined 27 such gardens in Suzhou, categorizing them into four groups by spatial attributes. We first quantified building spatial traits, then delved into their syntactical relationships, guiding the final clustering. Cluster A, with 17 gardens, marries architectural diversity with spatial harmony, ensuring navigability. Cluster B’s seven gardens prioritize open landscapes, minimizing buildings for clarity. Cluster C, comprising two expansive gardens, blends architectural variety with spatial coherence, albeit with some navigational complexity. Unique, Cluster D, solely Yi Garden, presents a rich spatial and architectural tapestry, demanding deeper visitor engagement. This work sheds light on the intertwining of garden design and spatial structures, underscoring influences like ownership and cultural milieu, suggesting broader applicability to heritage gardens.

Local environment perceived in daily life and urban green and blue space visits: Uncovering key factors for different age groups to access ecosystem services

Inequality in access to green and blue spaces is a major issue in the field of environmental justice. Various factors significantly influence visitations to these spaces, including residential, commuting, and shopping areas. However, studies have mainly focused on residential environments. Analyzing the coupling of environmental and socioeconomic factors, including age, income, and childhood experience, and examining the direct and indirect effects of these factors for different age groups are needed to better understand the detailed context of inequalities in access to ecosystem services. We conducted a questionnaire survey and analysis to address these needs in an urban setting. The results demonstrate that several land use categories (i.e., agricultural lands in residential areas, grasslands near shopping areas, and deciduous forests near commuting destinations) positively correlated with visitation frequency, suggesting the lack thereof may be the cause of access inequalities. In particular, the perimeter per unit area of some land cover types, which shows the complexity of the form of each land cover category, was found to be a significant factor. We identified inequality in nature experience to be the key factor correlated with inequality in nature visits among the young age group. For the middle-aged and old age groups, nature-relatedness was positively correlated with visitation frequency. Proper design of the local environment, such as through land use planning, can be an effective measure for all age groups. For instance, long-bordered green areas in the Monsoon Asian region are an attractive traditional landscape, with high accessibility and a comfortable thermal environment. The key factors for each age group should be considered in spatial design and inclusive information-sharing to reduce inequality in access to ecosystem services.

Natural Landscapes and the Psychological Impact of Environment on Architecture: Examining the Synergy Between Nature and Spatial Design

One of the most important characteristics of architectural art is the quality and type of connection it establishes with nature. Nature has a historical depth spanning hundreds of millions of years, having been shaped, evolved, and grown over time. It presents a structured and regulated form, within which a profound harmony can be observed in its diverse components. This homogeneous and dynamic structure has created a coherent language, which requires an understanding and decoding of this symbolic language to establish an interactive and constructive relationship with nature. This research examines the connection between natural landscapes and the psychological impacts of the environment on architectural design. The main objective of the study is to analyze the synergy between nature and designed spaces, investigating how this interaction can affect the quality of human life. The results indicate that the presence of natural elements in living and working spaces reduces stress, increases satisfaction, and improves mental health. Additionally, sustainable design that considers environmental principles and human needs can lead to the creation of spaces that provide a sense of tranquility and pleasure for users. Despite the economic and cultural challenges in implementing these approaches, collaboration among designers, engineers, and local communities is essential. Ultimately, this paper emphasizes the importance of considering the psychological impacts of the environment and the necessity of creating spaces that promote the synergy between nature and architecture.

Optimization of Energy Compensation Layered Structure of Geiger- Müller Counters

The dose rate measured by Geiger-Müller (GM) detectors plays a crucial role in assessing radiation fields. Due to the inherent characteristics of GM tubes, the energy response is inconsistent across different types or energies of radiation, leading to significant discrepancies in dose rates for radiation of the same intensity. This paper addresses the energy response differences of GM tubes and improves the spatial design of the compensation structure based on traditional shielding compensation methods. Incorporating a multi-layer compensation material model improved the uniformity of energy response across different energy levels. Monte Carlo simulations validated that the designed compensation model effectively enhances the accuracy of GM tube measurements. Initially, a perforated design was used, which improved the relative energy response by three times compared to the traditional segmented compensation method. Additionally, after applying layered compensation optimization to the lead shielding model with the perforated design, the compensation effect was further increased by 20.3%. The final root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.429 indicates that the improved energy compensation method significantly enhances the measurement performance of GM detectors, providing more design models and optimization directions for improving the energy response of dosimeters.

Parallel-transmission spatial spectral pulse design with local specific absorption rate control: Demonstration for robust uniform water-selective excitation in the human brain at 7 T.

To propose a novel method for parallel-transmission (pTx) spatial-spectral pulse design and demonstrate its utility for robust uniform water-selective excitation (water excitation) across the entire brain. Our design problem is formulated as a magnitude-least-squares minimization with joint RF and k-space optimization under explicit specific-absorption-rate constraints. For improved robustness against off-resonance effects, the spectral component of the excitation target is prescribed to have a water passband and a fat stopband. A two-step algorithm was devised to solve our design problem, with Step 1 aiming to solve a reduced problem to find a sensible start point for Step 2 to solve the original problem. The efficacy of our pulse design was evaluated in simulation, phantom, and human experiments using the commercial Nova head coil. Universal pulses were also designed based on a 10-subject training data set to demonstrate the utility of our method for plug-and-play pTx. For kT-points and spiral nonselective parameterizations, our design method outperformed the pTx interleaved binomial approach, reducing RMS error by up to about 35% for water excitation and about 97% for fat suppression (over a 200-Hz bandwidth) while decreasing local specific absorption rate by about 30%. Both our subject-specific and universal pulses improved water excitation, restoring signal loss in the cerebellum while suppressing fat signal even in regions of large susceptibility-induced off-resonances. Demonstrated useful for 4D (3D spatial, one-dimensional spectral) pTx spatial-spectral pulse design, our proposed method provides an effective solution for robust volumetric uniform water excitation, holding a promise to many ultrahigh-field applications.

Environmental therapy: interface design strategies for color graphics to assist navigational tasks in patients with visuospatial disorders through an analytic hierarchy process based on CIE color perception.

Environmental therapy theory has been applied in the research of disease prevention, and the effectiveness of using color and graphic designs to assist patients with spatial orientation has been confirmed. Visual-spatial impairments are common symptoms associated with cognitive decline. However, the interaction and driving factors between these impairments and spatial color and graphic designs remain unclear. This paper first discusses the correlation between the characteristics of visual-spatial impairments and environmental factors and then investigates the color preferences of such patients based on the CIE 1976 color system and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Subsequently, the paper explores spatial design strategies conducive to spatial orientation from the perspective of adaptability to pathological characteristics, utilizing case study analysis. (1) Pathological characteristics of visual-spatial impairments (such as difficulties in spatial orientation and spatial neglect) are related to environmental factors; (2) Emotional attachment factors play a key role in patients' perception of satisfaction with environmental colors; (3) Color associations have the potential to strengthen spatial memory. Additionally, interface designs with high luminance, low saturation, and clear color differentiation facilitate patients' recognition of space. This paper posits that spatial interface design is a feasible approach to assist with spatial orientation, and it achieves this through a mediating process that progresses from influencing visual stimuli to cognitive memory and then to behavioral orientation. The article provides insights into the operational feasibility of this method.

A Study on Guesthouse Interior Space Planning Method Based on BIM Topological Relationships

Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has revolutionized the architectural and construction industries by providing detailed digital representations of buildings, enhancing design efficiency and project management. Despite its widespread application, the utilization of BIM in optimizing interior space planning, particularly in boutique accommodations like guesthouses, remains underexplored. This research addresses the gap by introducing a novel method for interior environment space planning of guesthouses based on the topological relationships derived from BIM data. This study developed a new algorithm that utilizes detailed topology information from BIM in order to make space planning decisions more efficiently, thereby improving space utilization efficiency and guest experience. Through a comprehensive analysis of BIM topological relationships and the application of advanced optimization techniques, our method aims to optimize the use of space while considering the unique constraints and requirements of guesthouse environments. The proposed algorithm demonstrates significant improvements in spatial efficiency and design quality when tested against traditional planning methods on real-world BIM datasets. This research not only contributes a novel approach to the field of architectural design and planning but also offers practical implications for the enhancement of interior spaces in guesthouses, potentially influencing future applications of BIM technology in the hospitality industry.

Situating data stories in space to entice new audiences to engage with science

ABSTRACT Science communication predominantly engages individuals who already possess a pre-existing interest in science, thereby limiting its reach to a broader and more diverse audience. Situated approaches that intertwine content with spatial design may overcome interest barriers as it allows for spontaneous encounters with science. This paper describes the design of a multi-modal physicalisation coined Star Listener as the result of a collaboration between scientific experts (in astrophysics), design researchers and media professionals. Star Listener consists of different sensory engagement modalities, including textual information panels, speakers that distribute sonified data of stars, two public video displays with an animated explainer and interactive touchscreens with a mini-game. Star Listener was placed in an entryway of a public library for a period of 2 months. We evaluated this set-up by observing and interviewing passersby, both in an in-the-wild study and as a controlled in-the-wild study. We present design recommendations for the design of situated data representations and narrative physicalisations to support engagement of varied audiences with science.

Using optical absorption to reduce cross-talk in spatially multiplexed waveguiding metasurfaces

Dual-wavelength metasurfaces often employ spatial multiplexing design concepts where two interleaved lattices of meta-atoms, each designed for a specific wavelength, occupy the same layer. However, this arrangement incurs efficiency losses as each wavelength inevitably “sees” unintended meta-atoms designed for the other wavelength, causing spurious interference (crosstalk) effects, which are especially affecting the shorter wavelength. In this paper, we numerically demonstrate that the crosstalk can be reduced by introducing some optical absorption at the shorter wavelength, unveiling the near-field mechanisms at play. Then, through designing and simulating a dual-wavelength beam-steering metasurface, we demonstrate the benefits of certain level of absorption in terms of wavefront purity (characterized by the diffraction efficiency into a desired blazed order) and beam-steering efficiency. This method also presents some advantages in its simplicity as it allows to use the traditional phase-mapping approach based on the simulations of two independent meta-atom libraries, compared to more complex methods that require accounting for the crosstalk between meta-atoms.

Nanoconfined catalytic membranes for EfOM fouling mitigation: An intelligent “pore-centric” cleaning strategy

This study investigated the effectiveness of the nanoconfined catalytic membrane (NCCM), fabricated by nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) incorporated with graphene oxide membrane (NCNT@GO-M), in mitigating fouling caused by effluent organic matter (EfOM). Compared to conventional catalytic membranes (NRCM) that lack precise spatial design and prepared with only NCNT, NCCM exhibits a unique advantage by preferentially retaining and adsorbing protein-like substances in EfOM during the fouling formation process, forming a cake layer that effectively mitigates pore blockage from irreversible foulants. Furthermore, the ordered nanoconfined structure of NCCM facilitates an intelligent “pore-centric” hierarchical degradation strategy based on the molecular size of EfOM, preferentially removing irreversible foulants caused by fulvic acid-like and low molecular weight protein-like substances. The results demonstrated effective preservation of catalytic sites by the NCCM’s advanced nanoconfined configuration and a 1.6-fold increase in the mass transfer rate of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) compared to NRCM, synergistically promoting hydroxyl radical (•OH) enrichment, resulting in rapid EfOM degradation kinetics. Additionally, chemical cleaning almost completely eliminated irreversible fouling, restoring the NCCM to near its original flux. Overall, this study sheds light on the fouling mitigation mechanisms of NCCM, aiding their tailored design and application in targeted wastewater treatment.

Measuring Street Quality: A Human-Centered Exploration Based on Multi-Sourced Data and Classical Urban Design Theories

Advancements in analytical tools have facilitated numerous studies on perceived street quality. However, most have focused on limited aspects of street quality, failing to capture a comprehensive perception. This study introduces a quantitative approach to holistically measure street quality by integrating three key dimensions: visual perception, network accessibility, and functional diversity. Using Beijing and Shanghai as case studies, we employed artificial neural networks to analyze street view images and quantify the visual characteristics of streets. Additionally, street network accessibility was assessed through spatial design network analysis, and functional diversity was evaluated using the entropy of points of interest (POIs) data. The evaluation results were combined using the analytic hierarchy process. The reliability and accuracy of this method were validated through further testing. Our approach offers a human-centered, large-scale measurement framework, providing valuable insights for urban street renewal and design.

Healthy urban blue space design: Exploring the associations of blue space quality with recreational running and cycling using crowdsourced data

Urban blue space offers substantial health benefits by encouraging population physical activity. Despite much evidence on the nature-health nexus, the relationship between blue space and recreational exercises remains under-studied, limiting the realisation of health benefits in blue space design. Using crowdsourced data, including volunteered geographic information and street view image data, this study investigates the associations of blue space quality with recreational running and cycling in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Results show that recreational exercise levels on street segments vary based on the blue space type and design. Compared to inland canals and rivers, small-scale recreational waterbodies are more conducive to running but not cycling, while both activities tend to cluster around the Nieuwe Maas River. Interestingly, the Water View Index shows a general negative association with both activities after adjusting for the blue space type. Besides the waterbody characteristics, eye-level environmental factors, including higher Green View Index, lower building density, more diverse land use, greater connected street network and fewer traffic elements, are associated with more running and cycling exercises. Results for visual complexity and neighbourhood population composition are mixed depending on the exercise type. These findings are further translated into spatial design patterns for developing exercise-supportive and health-promoting blue spaces.

Integration of Digital Repositories and Spatial Design within the Metaverse: the Evaluation of Features and Narratives to set Learning Environments on Cultural Heritage

Abstract. The Metaverse is rapidly advancing across cultural, professional, and service sectors, enhancing data compatibility and interaction. Its architectural design supports both visual interaction and information layers, characterising an ideal platform for the promotion of Digital Heritage. The digitisation of Cultural Heritage and the creation of Digital Repositories find complementarity in the Metaverse, which enables social interactions between Digital Heritage contents and virtual communities. This integration is pivotal for developing Learning Environments, where accessible virtual products can be combined with original digital storytelling and narratives.The paper presents methods and results from an Erasmus+ international school, which focused on using digital communication and 3D modelling tools to create immersive narratives on Mediterranean architectural modernity. Students from various Cultural Heritage disciplines designed virtual exhibitions within the Metaverse platform Spatial and open repository materials. The research concentrated on the application of Metaverse platforms for their spatial design and educational utility within the Heritage sector. The activities included developing digital narratives and interactive exhibitions enriched with multimedia data from digital repositories. The study discusses the limitations of customising visual materials, the importance of repository connections, user experience design, and the potential for future developments in Metaverse applications for Cultural Heritage learning environments and storytelling.