Wayfinding in complex spaces. Vol. 1-2

Abstract

This thesis is primarily a theoretical examination of people environment relationships directed towards the performance requirements of buildings for human occupation. It commences with a review of extant behavioural models used in the fields of Life Fire Safety Engineering and Wayfinding. The review includes several other interconnected disciplines and areas of interest such as space syntax and cognitive science. Extant behavioural models are described as essentially mechanical however there is also another, less familiar and not yet fully understood, symbiotic model. The symbiotic model is expanded and a new form of spatial analysis, developmental syntax, presented. Symbiotic models seem capable of providing a theoretical base for both the mechanical and also more subtle and complex relationships between space, social interaction and personal knowledge. Case studies are included as tentative explorations of developmental syntax and the symbiotic model in use and recommendations are made for further research into both developmental syntax and the symbiotic model.