Introduction: Creating an appropriate
and efficient workplace environment is a fundamental part of businesses in the
modern world. The proper design of interior spaces and exterior facades in
workplaces invigorates the workforce and reduces the risk of depression for
them, while also improving the quality of their work and the attraction of
customers.
Nevertheless, architects tend to design
workplace environments solely based on personal taste and emotional
preferences. The present study designed a branch of Bank Maskan in Sari, Iran,
by using efficient scientific methods and with a focus on the quantitative and
qualitative aspects of design.
Materials and Methods: The present study was
conducted to design a workplace environment using the Kansei engineering
method. It used the facade openings of a branch of Maskan Bank in Sari as its
case study and extracted the users' preferences using the Kansei method in
order to find physical patterns for designing facade openings based on
scientific analysis of the data obtained. The researcher examined the dominant
emotional preferences using the Kansei engineering method and had 200
individuals selected from the sample population fill out a questionnaire that
was scored using Semantic Differential (SD) and based on a 7-point Likert
scale. The data obtained were analyzed in SPSS-16 using a test for mean and the
Pearson correlation test.
Findings: The findings of the
present study confirmed the significant relationship between the quantitative
(the type of openings) and qualitative (Kansei terms) characteristics of design
using the Kansei engineering method and also showed that arched openings, with
attributes of religiosity such as “loyal”, “trustworthy” and “moderate” (with
correlation values of 0.6, 0.6 and 0.63, in respective order), and rectangular
openings with vertical elongation, with attributes of economics and banking
such as “stability” (with the correlation value of 0.62), have obtained the
highest degree of correlation.
Conclusion: Given the positive
effects of physical patterns, and as traditional arched openings imply
attributes such as religiosity while rectangular openings with vertical
elongation imply positive economics and banking attributes, these openings were
deemed suitable for designing the facade of the examined branch of Maskan Bank
in Sari.
