Assessment and intervention of emotional preferences of users in a communal space

Advancement in science has resulted in a shift of attention towards the mental aspects of human existence in addition to possible physical and material requirements. Today، this point in architectural design seems to have found its rightful place. Despite the fact that university students play a significant role in shaping the future of their country، the psychological needs of students in terms of designing student housing has largely been ignored by architects. The aim of the present study was to use the fundamental principles of Kansei engineering to form a model of communal housing for students’ residence. The sample consisted of 50 female students residing in dormitory of Mazandaran University. All students lived in suites with a separate living room. A check list of Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was completed by participants and based on these scores، and using Kansei principles، a communal space was designed. Features of the design included the use of natural materials، low ceiling height، small living space، enclosed living space، neutral colors and a large number of wide openings and exits. First، satisfaction of 25 students was compared by displaying images of the designed communal space with images of communal spaces which had raised positive emotions in them. Results showed that 64% of them chose the designed communal space based on Kansei principles as their desired communal space. Then images of the designed communal space was presented alongside images of other communal spaces. Results show that 68% of them preferred the Kansei designed communal space to other communal spaces.