Theses supervised by Prof. Dr. Halime Demirkan
16 theses · İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University
Simüle edilmiş kafe ortamlarında çoklu duyusal deneyimlerin kısa süreli bellek tutulumu üzerindeki rolü
This study investigates how multisensory experiences can enhance short-term memory retention in public interiors, specifically cafes. Previous research has highlighted and emphasized the cognitive benefits of multisensory integration in various settings, including educational institutions and museums. However, there has been limited exploration of memory retention in cafe environments. This research examines the effects of visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli, both individually and simultaneously, addressing a significant gap in understanding how sensory design influences memory performance in public spaces. A mixed-method experimental design was employed involving 76 adults residing in Ankara, Türkiye. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and two baseline tests before being randomly assigned to one of four sensory groups: visual, visual and auditory, visual and olfactory, and visual, auditory, and olfactory. The experiment was conducted in a controlled indoor environment that simulated a cafe-like setting. Participants were then given a distraction puzzle followed by an open-ended memory retention task. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and matrix layout, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. The findings indicate that multisensory experiences significantly enhance memory retention compared to single or dual- sensory modalities. Additionally, cognitive assessments showed a low positive correlation with memory retention. This research provides important insights into multisensory design in public spaces, aiming to foster the development of more memorable, cognitively engaging, and experiential environments.
Görsel uyaranların sanal ortamlarda içgüdüsel satın alma davranışı üzerindeki etkileri
This study examines the influence of visual stimuli on impulse buying behavior. It aims to investigate the effects of particular visual cues of high-image visual stimuli (H-IVS) and low-image visual stimuli (L-IVS)—organization/density, staging techniques, and lighting—on impulse buying behavior. The research questions focus on how visual stimuli increase impulse buying behavior and how personality traits moderate this relationship. In a virtual environment, eighty-four female participants in the study were shown visual cues of a black leather handbag. Each of the visual cues was shown independently. Surveys measuring impulse buying behavior and consumer reaction to visual stimuli were used to gather data. The results suggest that high-image visual stimuli significantly enhance impulse buying behavior through organization/density, staging techniques, and lighting, but not directly on impulse buying tendencies. The study establishes the complexity of consumer behavior, emphasizing the role of visual stimuli and personality traits. Further research would study different retail settings, try different consumer segments, and examine additional product categories to determine how visual stimuli affect impulse buying.
Farklı mekan sınırlarının mekan algısı üzerindeki etkileri
The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between the perception of spaciousness and curvilinear boundaries related to different specific properties of the environment such as size, light, texture and color. This relationship is identified by the aesthetic judgements and emotional responses of the participants through a virtual environment. Study conducted in virtual reality environment and 128 participants participate in this research study. Sixteen different physical property spaces were designed to measure the perception of spaciousness, aesthetic judgement and emotional responses. Each participant was responsible for only one specific property. The survey has included both ranking and open-ended questions for each setting. Specific properties and curved boundary type was found that there was a significant impact on perception of spaciousness as independent of each other. In this direction, aesthetic and emotional researches were analyzed between specific property group and boundary type group. As a result of the study, perception of spaciousness is positively related with the curved boundary types. Also, the result showed that, perception of spaciousness is positively related with the large size, bright light, transverse texture and cool color spaces. Findings on perception of spaciousness was supported with the relevant adjectives of aesthetic judgements and emotional responses.
Temel tasarım eğitiminde yaratıcı tasarım sürecine sanal gerçekliğin etkisi
Creativity is an integral part of a design process. Recently, creativity supporting tools become very common in research. This study examines the influence of immersive and non-immersive virtual design environments on design process creativity in the first year basic design studio, through observing factors related to creativity as the flow state and motivation. Consequently, an experiment was conducted to investigate the relationships between spatial ability, flow state and motivation in immersive and non-immersive virtual design environments. Forty-two first year undergraduate basic design students joined the experiment. The data analysis demonstrated that the immersive virtual design environment facilitates participants' design process creativity. Also, the findings indicated a positive weak correlation between spatial ability and flow state, and a positive strong correlation between motivation and flow state. Study results contributed to a greater understanding of implementing immersive virtual reality as a creativity supporting tool.
Aktiviteye dayali ofis ortamlarının algılanan bireysel ve grup yaratıcılığı üzerine etkileri
This study examined the impact of activity-based offices (ABOs) on individual and group creativity from the employees' perspective. The study was investigated in two stages to find the link between ABOs and the concept of creative spaces, and also to identify and examine mediating variables in this relationship. In the first stage, a qualitative approach was adopted and the critical incident technique was used to collect data from 50 knowledge workers through interviews. Participant observation methods were also conducted for the case studies of three ABOs. In the second stage, a quantitative approach was adopted to collect data from a total of 186 knowledge workers in two international companies based in Sweden. The mixed methods approach was used to triangulate the data from the two stages. The two sets of data were merged by combining the different findings in the section on practical relevance and suggestions for improving environmental designers' and facility managers' understanding to manipulate ABO spaces to promote creativity in the workplace. The results showed that privacy, noise levels, and distraction-free environments were the most important factors in fostering individual employee creativity, as were open spaces with zones for different noise levels and private enclosed spaces. For group creativity, the importance of providing appropriate equipment and furniture in ABOs was observed - collaborative and disengaged spaces were found to be the most recurring spaces for group creativity. In addition, employee preferences were found to be an important component to consider when looking at environmental features, space types, and types of creative activities in creativity-enhancing ABOs. Using regression with bootstrapping for quantitative data, it is found that job autonomy and organizational commitment serially mediate this relationship. Study results suggest that organizations with ABOs exert on employees a sense of control over their work, leading them to feel more committed to their organization and consequently improving creativity in the group.
Sergi mekanlarında ekran malzemesinin ziyaretçi davranışı ile ilişkisi
The screen, with its diverse forms and materials, has been a part of the exhibition space as art practice as well as an integral part of human beings' lives. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the screen materials on space formation through observing different screen materials and explore the relationship between the materials of screens and visitor, by addressing visitor behavior that is divided as attention and interaction in exhibition spaces. Previous studies were mostly elaborated in the field of media and art, and few research was found in the architecture field. Therefore, this study seeks to present a comprehensive approach by gathering media, art, and architecture perspectives together in the visitor studies in the context of exhibition spaces. An exhibition experiment was designed, and different instruments were used in the assessment of the participants' behavior, experience, and feelings. A total of 32 participants were selected based on defined demographic parameters. The findings of this study presented that, the profession item showed a significant correlation with the screen preferences and screen materials have an impact on the architectural layout from visitors' perspective in terms of its physical form and its influence on the layout. Lastly, screen materials have a significant impact on the amount of attention paid as well as on the number of visitor interactions with exhibit objects in exhibition spaces.
İç mimarlık eğitiminde empati: Empatik tasarım ve yansımalarının araştırması
Integrating empathy to design education enhances students' universal design solutions since empathic design provides a feeling and understanding of a wide range of users' needs in the designed environment or products. This study investigates how using empathic design techniques as instructional design methods influence students' improvement in the multiple dimensions of empathy, design process and end products, and perceptions of their learning experience. The empirical research is conducted with three groups and a control group who are asked to experience different empathic design techniques (direct contact between designers and users, indirect contact between designers and users, and role-playing) obtaining in the redesign of an existing kitchen and reflecting their learning and design outcomes on an online session in virtual meetings. Qualitative data collection methods consist of behavioral observations, the researcher's logbook, interviews, and design conversation protocols obtained by video recordings of the Zoom meetings. Quantitative data collection methods include using a questionnaire and survey as instruments and assessment of end products. Thematic analysis was conducted to study data from interviews and design. Results indicated that an empathic design process positively indicated students' perceptions of their learning experience and enhanced their self-awareness and design awareness. In addition, empathic design improved students' problem-solving skills, helped them attain universal design solutions easily, and shortened the design process time. The role-playing technique was the most efficient compared to other techniques for raising students' empathy and proposing universal design solutions.
İzole ve kapalı ortamlarda ferahlığın değerlendı̇rı̇lmesı̇
This thesis explores the adverse psychological effects of Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments, aiming to explore the correlation between these effects and interior architectural elements. In addition, several methods are tested to evaluate interior architectural elements that may directly impact the perceived spaciousness of these environments. The initial phase of the thesis examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of interior spaces. Individuals who found their living spaces visually appealing, engaged in various activities, expressed satisfaction with their connections to outdoor spaces, encountered less boredom, and displayed fewer signs of anxiety and psychological distress. The following phase explored the effects of furniture, lighting, surface texture, and ceiling height on spaciousness perception and surveyed emotional and aesthetic responses to various design factors. The results indicated that interior architectural elements have a relatively minor impact on individuals' spatial perception within a habitat. Design training is a more significant influencer in all spatial evaluations than interior architectural elements. Although furniture, lighting, and texture have statistically significant effects on spaciousness and aesthetic judgments, design training remains a substantial moderator of these effects. This research contributes substantially to comprehending the complex dynamics between interior architectural design and human perception. The findings underscore the profound influence of design choices on practical functionality and emotional experiences within confined spaces. The study's implications extend to architects, designers, and policymakers, providing valuable insights for enhancing psychological well-being in ICE environments.
DINESCAPE müşterilerin duygu ve davranış eğilimleri üzerindeki etkisi: Bir lüks restoran örneği
This study explores the impacts of physical environmental items (DINESCAPE) on emotions and behavioral intentions of customers at an upscale restaurant. The theoretical framework is grounded on the Mehrabian- Russell model which claims that any environment will evoke an emotional state in one of three ways: pleasure, arousal, and dominance. A field study approach is used in this study and conducted with 152 participants who were dining at a restaurant. Among upscale restaurants in Ankara, two branches of Midpoint chain restaurants were selected as the case study to evaluate the influence of the DINESCAPE items in evoking emotional states that have an impact on behavioral intentions of customers. Using the multiple regression analysis, the findings indicated that the facility aesthetic has a positive effect on arousal dimension; layout on arousal and dominance dimensions; table set up on pleasure dimension; and ambience on pleasure and dominance dimensions. Furthermore, the results indicated that table set up and ambience dimensions of DINESCAPE have a direct influence on behavioral intentions. Among customer emotions, pleasure and dominance dimensions were the significant determinants of behavioral intentions. Keywords: behavioral intentions; DINESCAPE; emotions; Mehrabian–Russell Model; physical environment; upscale restaurants
İleri yaş grubunun sosyal katılım için yaşlı merkezlerindeki mekansal öncelikleri
Healthy aging has become a topic of upmost importance as the world's older adult population increases. Social participation has a large impact on mental and physical health of seniors and it increases their sense of well-being as well. Senior centers are one of the important locations for social participation of older adults. This study focuses on the spatial priorities of older adults for social participation in a senior center with an aim to find out their preferences. In a selected senior center, 60 participants are interviewed about the social and physical factors in that setting. The age range was between 60 and 87 with the mean age 72.28. The majority were female, married and high school graduates. As a result of statistical factorial analysis, three groups were determined as social factors: Socialization degree, socialization frequency and demographic information. For physical factors, four groups were found: Furniture and physical comfort, finishing materials, lighting, and decoration. Several differences among age groups, genders, education levels, and occupations were found as well as numerous correlations between demographics, social factors, activities, and physical factors.
Ev ortamının yetişkin kadınların fiziksel aktiviteleri üzerindeki rolü: Tek ve çok katlı evlerin karşılaştırması
This study explores the role of domestic environment on home-based physical activities (PAs) of women adults who live in single and multi storey houses. The aim of the study is to determine the design characteristics of specific spaces (kitchen, bathroom, corridor, staircase,garden/terrace and multi spaces) and theirelements that affect negatively or not on the domestic PAs of women adults live in each space of both house types and to determine the relationship between home-based PAs and PA level of the participants. This study was conducted with 120 young and middle-aged (19-64 years)Turkish women adults. Equal number of participants was selected from both house types. Two sets of survey were done for both house types and the PA level was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-S).Using the qualitative content analysis method,women were found generally pleased with the design characteristics of spacesbut'frontal length of main working area' was found to be the most negatively affecting design characteristic for PA in kitchenin both house types. A significant difference was found in the amount of time spent in doing housework and bathing activity in both house types. The correlation analysis indicated that there is a low association in single storey houses and positive moderate association in multi storey houses between frequency of cooking and housework activities. According to multiple regression analysis, daily duration of cooking activity is mostly related PA level of women adults in multi storey houses. Additionally, no significant difference was found between PA levels of women who live inboth houses types and generally moderate PA level was reported. Keywords: Design Characteristics, Domestic Environment, Physical Activity, Single and Multi Storey Houses, Women
Mekan karakterlerinin, kafeleri çalışma alanı olarak kullanmayı seçmedeki etkisi
This study explores the impacts of physical space, social space and ambiance characteristics of café environments on the preference as workplaces. A field study approach is used in this study and conducted with 134 participants who were studying at a café. Among cafés in Ankara, six cafés were selected as the case study to evaluate the influence of the physical space, social space and ambiance characteristics on the preference of cafes as workplaces. According to the results, the findings indicated that the productivity level, physical view, cleanliness level, security level, socialization level, and ambiance noise level have a positive effect on the preference of cafés as workplaces.
Tasarım öğrencilerinin yaratıcılığını geliştiren işbirlikçi ortamlar: İşbirlikçi yaratıcılık destekleme araçlarının kullanımı
Collaboration and creativity are integral parts of design education process. Tools to support collaborative design process, as well as tools to support creativity in the process now being used together in design education. Therefore in this study, the Collaborative Creativity Support Tool (CCST) is proposed and applied to the design process that is conducted both synchronously and asynchronously. CCST is composed of design students, knowledge domain and design field. MOODLE learning environment is utilized for collaboration and enhancing creativity processes in knowledge domain, and Google SketchUp 3D modeling tool is used in the design field. Data collection is composed of observations during and after the study, surveys, correspondence logs, 3D models, interviews and statistics that were obtained by MOODLE forum logs. To evaluate effectiveness of CCST, segment analysis over demographic data, communication frequencies, communication codes, indicators of creativity, analysis of creativity in design education is used. Findings of the empirical research indicate that CCST supported design students in both collaborative and creative processes.
Sanal ortamda dikey navigasyonun incelenmesi: Bir merdiven deneyimi
Architectural cues are configured by architects in the initial phase of design process. Local architectural cues within an environment can aid individuals during navigation and influence their spatial orientation. Staircases, as a feature of local architectural cues that provide access to the other floors in a multi-level building can have an impact on vertical navigation. This study focuses on the issue of vertical navigation during virtual navigation by integrating the individual characteristics and the geometric attributes of a staircase pair within two different multi-level desktop virtual environments (VEs). The angle between the cue pairs with respect to the same observation point is altered in order to determine the staircase pair that is more efficient in navigation. Circulation paths, gender differences, navigational abilities and cue pairs are considered to be factors that affect staircase preferences for ascending and descending. For the VE with a 180° difference between the cue pairs, there was a relationship between the ascending and descending staircases. Further analysis indicated that the staircase preference in ascending was either related to the first or last visited rooms on the ground floor. For the VE with a 90° difference between the cue pairs, no relationship was found between the ascending and descending staircases as well as with any other factor. There was no significant relationship between gender and staircase preference except for the descending staircase with 180° difference between the cue pairs and was in favor of females. In addition, there was no significant relationship between the navigational abilities and staircase preferences.
Açık ofislerde genel ve hedeflenen görünürlüğün iş etkileşimleri üzerine etkisi
Visibility within open-plan offices plays a crucial role in shaping employee behaviors, including how they interact. The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the impacts of generic and targeted visibility on work-process interactions in open-plan offices. In the first phase, adopting a qualitative approach, this study aimed to detect work-process interaction patterns through a survey in two open-plan offices with 30 employees. Survey questions related to work-process interactions were analyzed through axial analysis. The second phase of the study, adopting a quantitative approach, was conducted through generic and targeted visibility analysis and new codes written for DepthMapX. The outputs of the two phases were analyzed to comprehend the influence of generic and targeted visibility on work-process interactions in open-plan offices. The results showed that density values for 120° and 360° isovists are determinant factors for the number of work-process interactions in all generic and targeted visibility parameters. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between density parameters and the number of work-process interactions. Therefore, it was found that more visible employees per unit in 120° and 360° isovists result in fewer work process interactions in open-plan offices. In other words, it was found that when an employee has a desk with low visual privacy or high visibility, this employee avoids interacting with their colleagues in open-plan offices. Therefore, the study's findings reveal that the impact of visual privacy on work-process interactions in open-plan offices is not as same as previously thought. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that more visibility does not result in more work-process interactions in open-plan offices unless employees' visual privacy is preserved.
Yaratıcı mekan tiplerinin tasarım düşünce süreci üzerindeki etkisi
The design thinking process induces innovation and creativity. Modern organizations require designated workspaces to support the design thinking process. Thus, this study provides experimental evidence on the role of spatial types in influencing the creative design thinking process, namely divergent and convergent thinking. Fifty-nine participants performed divergent and convergent thinking tasks in open or private spaces. Flow state, situational interest, and presence assessed participants' task engagement. The task engagement levels in both spaces were compared using independent sample t-tests. Results revealed that flow state, situational interest, and presence were significantly higher in the open space than in the private space during divergent tasks. During convergent tasks, only situational interest was significantly higher in the private space than in the open space. In addition, results revealed a significant positive correlation between flow state and situational interest, and flow state and presence. Also, results indicated a nonsignificant positive correlation between presence and situational interest. These results contribute to understanding of the physical spaces in impacting the creative design thinking process.