User's spatial quality perception and experience within the scope of neuro-architecture; Trabzon Oral and Dental Health Hospitalwaiting areas

Spaces affect human behaviors and emotions positively/negatively. For quality life, it is necessary to determine the effects of space on people and to be able to make quality designs. Although the perception process and emotional changes because of user experience should be clearly measured in spatial quality assessment, there are deficiencies in obtaining definitive data on this issue. In the study, the quality assessment of space because of experiencing space was addressed by using traditional and neuro-architectural methods. In this way, it was aimed to reduce the negative perception of waiting areas on people and to increase spatial quality and user satisfaction. First, a literature review was conducted to determine the spatial quality criteria for waiting areas. The concept of spatial quality was examined in terms of spaciousness, aesthetics, functionality, accessibility and security criteria. The waiting areas of Trabzon Oral and Dental Health Hospital, which differ in terms of spatial organization, were selected as the study area. The current situation in the area was determined through observation and photography. User comments were questioned through surveys and open-ended question interviews. Then, the visual perception of the user in the spaces was tried to be determined with the eye tracking technique. Afterwards, the effects of the differences in waiting areas on the feeling of stress were tested by taking physiological data (blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, skin moisture). The results obtained from all stages were compared and discussed. The results showed that the best quality waiting area and the most spacious waiting area was the lobby waiting area in the survey and open-ended question interviews. The most effective elements in quality assessment are dimensional features, and the level of brightness and natural light in the perception of spaciousness. The areas that attract more attention are the deepest and brightest/ darkest areas. It was also determined that the waiting area that caused the most stress in the study area was the corridor waiting area. Keywords: Neuro-architecture, Quality, Waiting Area, Physiological Measurement, Eye Tracking