Investigating Visual Quality of Toddler Recreation Spaces

Visual quality of the recreation spaces is important for every individual but particularly for infants, toddler and children since they learn through play. It has been observed that recreation spaces are not designed specifically for a toddler. Several visual element weaknesses have been observed in toddler recreational areas such as improper visual elements, arbitrary choices of form, color, light, material, and texture. This study aimed to investigate the use of visual quality elements as an important factor that plays a vital role on the formation of visual quality of toddler recreation spaces. In this thesis study, a theoretical framework is developed as a result of reviewing literature on the visual quality elements and their role on visual quality formation. 10 case study areas were then selected as a result of a systematic filtering method and framework was implemented in order to investigate use and role of visual quality elements on the formation of visual quality of toddler recreation areas. This qualitative method has evaluated the use and role of five visual quality elements (VQE) that are: form, color, light, material, and texture. Particular use of each element was determined and then their role on the formation of visual quality of toddler recreation spaces was discussed. This thesis study concludes with a list of recommendations for a betterment of toddler recreation spaces indoor visual quality. The findings suggest proper penetration of natural light into recreation spaces rather than over-use of artificial light, use of natural materials and textures besides creating sub spaces with rectilinear forms for different functions in order to improve visual quality of the indoor recreation spaces for this particular user group. Keywords: Visual quality elements, visual quality, toddlers’ recreation centers, toddler recreation indoor spaces.