The effects of colour and light used indoors of education buildings of universities on spatial perception and wayfinding

This study focuses on the effects of colour and light on spatial perception and wayfinding in terms of indoor use of education buildings of universities. It seeks for a solution for buildings having complex plans and identical places by using colour, lighting level and light colour temperature variables. By using colour and light variables, it is aimed to have indoors having high spatial legibility and easily perceived spaces. For that aim, visual realism was provided and desktop virtual reality environment was created. The experiment was performed with 102 university students. The subjects? experience on environments designed by different colour and light variables and evaluation of these spaces using concepts not related with liking were asked to the students. As a result of the research, it has been found that attractiveness and memorability of warm colours with high light colour temperature are higher compare to other colours and light-colour temperatures. Besides, it is determined that by using cold colours and high light levels, people can be navigated in the indoor easily. It is observed that the places having low lighting level are not attracted in leading decisions and perceived negatively. Besides, it is determined that gender differences are not significant in terms of visual clarity and attractiveness as both of them evaluated the stimuli similarly.