Evaluation of A Transition Space on A University Campus in Terms of User Experience and Spatial Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19958531Anahtar Kelimeler:
University campus, transition space, user experience, spatial performance, open spaceÖzet
This study aims to examine transition spaces on university campuses, which are often considered merely as circulation elements, in terms of user experience and spatial performance. The research was conducted in the open space located around the Dean’s Building of the Faculty of Engineering at Karadeniz Technical University, implemented in 2025. A case study design was adopted, and spatial analysis, systematic behavioral observation, and a user survey were used together. Within the spatial analysis, the location of the site, circulation relations, entrance-exit connections, seating elements, accessibility, visibility, and environmental comfort conditions were evaluated. The systematic observation phase included 239 valid observation records and 431 observed users, while the survey was conducted with 145 participants. The findings revealed that the site functions not only as a circulation surface but also as a multifunctional open space that supports waiting, short-term resting, sitting, chatting, and, during certain time periods, eating and drinking. Survey results showed that suitability for waiting, short-term resting, and clarity of circulation received the highest scores, whereas aesthetic perception, spatial layout, and the functionality of site furnishings were evaluated relatively lower. As a result, the study demonstrates that campus transition spaces should be assessed through a user-oriented, multidimensional, and holistic perspective, and emphasizes that these spaces are significant open-space components in terms of campus life quality, social use, and spatial continuity. The research also offers an applicable evaluation framework integrating physical, behavioral, and perceptual dimensions of campus transition spaces.
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Telif Hakkı (c) 2026 International Journal of Social and Humanities Sciences Research (JSHSR)
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