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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.