Work

CV

Work

CV

Work

CV

Grey Space Design and Luminosity: Examining Their Effects on Foot Traffic

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Completed at

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Completed at

Completed at

Imperial College London

Imperial College London

Date Completed

Date Completed

Dec, 2024

Dec, 2024

Study Authors

Study Authors

Amy Brons
Shiming Ding
Neymat Seyidli
Wuwei Zhang
Taiyu Yao

Amy Brons
Shiming Ding
Neymat Seyidli
Wuwei Zhang
Taiyu Yao

Amy Brons
Shiming Ding
Neymat Seyidli
Wuwei Zhang
Taiyu Yao

Overview

Overview

Overview

Grey spaces are increasingly integrated into contemporary architecture, yet their effects on human behavior remain underexplored. A specific gap exists in understanding how luminosity affects foot traffic and emotional responses in these spaces. Addressing this gap could inform the design of more functional, engaging, and psychologically supportive environments.


This study investigates the impact of natural light on human behavior within grey spaces—transitional architectural areas that bridge public and private, indoor and outdoor environments. By analyzing the interplay of light, space, and human activity, the research provides actionable insights for enhancing urban architectural designs, especially in academic settings.


Read full paper here.

Grey spaces are increasingly integrated into contemporary architecture, yet their effects on human behavior remain underexplored. A specific gap exists in understanding how luminosity affects foot traffic and emotional responses in these spaces. Addressing this gap could inform the design of more functional, engaging, and psychologically supportive environments.


This study investigates the impact of natural light on human behavior within grey spaces—transitional architectural areas that bridge public and private, indoor and outdoor environments. By analyzing the interplay of light, space, and human activity, the research provides actionable insights for enhancing urban architectural designs, especially in academic settings.


Read full paper here.

Grey spaces are increasingly integrated into contemporary architecture, yet their effects on human behavior remain underexplored. A specific gap exists in understanding how luminosity affects foot traffic and emotional responses in these spaces. Addressing this gap could inform the design of more functional, engaging, and psychologically supportive environments.


This study investigates the impact of natural light on human behavior within grey spaces—transitional architectural areas that bridge public and private, indoor and outdoor environments. By analyzing the interplay of light, space, and human activity, the research provides actionable insights for enhancing urban architectural designs, especially in academic settings.


Read full paper here.

Research Objectives

Research Objectives

Luminosity Mapping

Luminosity Mapping

Create a detailed light map of the Imperial College London campus, linking light distribution to grey space hierarchy.

Create a detailed light map of the Imperial College London campus, linking light distribution to grey space hierarchy.

Foot Traffic Analysis

Foot Traffic Analysis

Assess the correlation between pedestrian movement patterns and lighting conditions in transitional spaces.

Assess the correlation between pedestrian movement patterns and lighting conditions in transitional spaces.

Human-Centric Insights

Human-Centric Insights

Investigate cognitive and emotional responses to grey spaces via qualitative and quantitative methods.

Investigate cognitive and emotional responses to grey spaces via qualitative and quantitative methods.

Research Objectives

Methodology

Methodology

Methodology

The study adopted a mixed-methods exploratory sequential design:


Quantitative: Light levels were measured at 40 campus locations using a digital illuminance meter, and statistical analyses examined the relationship between light, foot traffic, and space hierarchy.


Qualitative: Surveys, route tracking, and semi-structured interviews captured student perceptions and behaviors in key grey spaces.


Graph Theory: A hierarchical framework modeled interconnected spaces, analyzing their usage via metrics such as centrality and luminosity.

The study adopted a mixed-methods exploratory sequential design:


Quantitative: Light levels were measured at 40 campus locations using a digital illuminance meter, and statistical analyses examined the relationship between light, foot traffic, and space hierarchy.


Qualitative: Surveys, route tracking, and semi-structured interviews captured student perceptions and behaviors in key grey spaces.


Graph Theory: A hierarchical framework modeled interconnected spaces, analyzing their usage via metrics such as centrality and luminosity.


The study adopted a mixed-methods exploratory sequential design:


Quantitative: Light levels were measured at 40 campus locations using a digital illuminance meter, and statistical analyses examined the relationship between light, foot traffic, and space hierarchy.


Qualitative: Surveys, route tracking, and semi-structured interviews captured student perceptions and behaviors in key grey spaces.


Graph Theory: A hierarchical framework modeled interconnected spaces, analyzing their usage via metrics such as centrality and luminosity.

Key Findings

Key Findings

Key Findings

Luminosity and Foot Traffic: Well-lit grey spaces exhibited higher pedestrian activity, with stronger correlations observed after outliers were removed.

Grey Space Hierarchy: Foot traffic patterns showed a moderate relationship with space hierarchy, suggesting design complexity alone does not dictate usage.

User Preferences: Semi-structured interviews highlighted lighting as a crucial factor in space perception, with brighter areas like the Dyson School foyer receiving the most positive feedback.

Luminosity and Foot Traffic: Well-lit grey spaces exhibited higher pedestrian activity, with stronger correlations observed after outliers were removed.


Grey Space Hierarchy: Foot traffic patterns showed a moderate relationship with space hierarchy, suggesting design complexity alone does not dictate usage.


User Preferences: Semi-structured interviews highlighted lighting as a crucial factor in space perception, with brighter areas like the Dyson School foyer receiving the most positive feedback.

Luminosity and Foot Traffic: Well-lit grey spaces exhibited higher pedestrian activity, with stronger correlations observed after outliers were removed.

Grey Space Hierarchy: Foot traffic patterns showed a moderate relationship with space hierarchy, suggesting design complexity alone does not dictate usage.

User Preferences: Semi-structured interviews highlighted lighting as a crucial factor in space perception, with brighter areas like the Dyson School foyer receiving the most positive feedback.

Impact

Impact

Impact

This research bridges architecture, behavioral psychology, and urban design to enhance the usability and emotional impact of grey spaces. Findings emphasize the importance of integrating natural light into architectural designs to improve user experiences, safety, and engagement.

This research bridges architecture, behavioral psychology, and urban design to enhance the usability and emotional impact of grey spaces. Findings emphasize the importance of integrating natural light into architectural designs to improve user experiences, safety, and engagement.

Future Directions

Future Directions

Future Directions

Scaling this study to broader urban contexts could validate its findings and inform guidelines for designing adaptable, sustainable grey spaces. Further research on advanced light modeling, user engagement, and diverse population samples would deepen its applicability.


To read the full report, click here.

Scaling this study to broader urban contexts could validate its findings and inform guidelines for designing adaptable, sustainable grey spaces. Further research on advanced light modeling, user engagement, and diverse population samples would deepen its applicability.


To read the full report, click here.

Scaling this study to broader urban contexts could validate its findings and inform guidelines for designing adaptable, sustainable grey spaces. Further research on advanced light modeling, user engagement, and diverse population samples would deepen its applicability.


To read the full report, click here.