Proxemic Study
Project Objectives
UNDERSTAND how landscape interventions affect others within a public outdoor space, specifically relating to proxemics/spatial theories (including personal space, territory, crowding, and privacy).
DOCUMENT findings in a multimodal method that includes drawings, diagrams, mental models, photography, or written notes.
ANALYZE which methods of landscape interventions are the most/least effective, and how they could be used within the profession. When does spatial proximity change with programming intention? How can we design for everyone? Should we?
ENGAGE with the assigned text actively, critically thinking throughout the activity, honestly completing the activity, and attempting to ask curious, thoughtful questions after the activity.
Group Instructions
Group 1: Personal Space
Two of the group members will be a part of the control group, while two of the group members will be a part of the experimental group. The experimental group will take a piece of sidewalk chalk and place themselves in the main corridor of the Centennial Mall (in front of WALC). Draw an approximately 8 ft diameter circle on the pavement, and stand within the center. This circle should be placed in an area in which people walk through (try not to stand somewhere that would inhibit ADA accessibility). Stand within the circle for approximately five minutes and observe those who pass. How many people walk across the chalk line? How many people walk around it? Do individuals respect the line, do groups respect the line? What about cyclists? What is the distance in which people keep away? Document your thoughts, experiences, and findings.
Group 2: Territory
Your entire group will be creating a corridor within the primary area of the Centennial Mall corridor. The group will take one piece of chalk and create the following illustration. Draw two parallel lines, about 18’ long and 12’ apart, each group member should stand at one of the (4) line ending points. Try not to situate yourselves somewhere that would inhibit ADA accessibility. Document the answers to the following questions: How many people walk through the “corridor” you made? Do any people walk through horizontally? What percentage of people walk around you? How far around you do people walk? What about cyclists and people on scooters?
Group 3: Crowding
You will be orienteering yourselves in the thru-ways of the Centennial Mall Corridor (pathways that lead to building entrances). Follow the illustration below. Give yourselves at least 20’ of clearance from the nearest building door. Stand closely to one another (about 2’ apart) and look inwards. Draw a chalk circle around you about 12’-18’ in diameter, and stand in the center. Be sure not to inhibit ADA access. Document the answers to the following questions: How many people cross the chalk line? Do people bump into you? How far do people move out of your way? Do other people come and stand next to you?
Group 4: Privacy You will be sitting down in the primary corridor area of the Centennial Mall. Two of the group members will be the experimentees, and two will be the observers. The two experimentees should find a place to sit within the mall area, preferably along a well-traveled pathway. For this activity, you will be seated with your back facing the corridor (as shown in the photo below).
The two group members observing will sit nearby (within 100’), but not obviously close to the participants. As the observers, your job is to watch people as they pass by. Take note: people may naturally stare at the seemingly unnatural behavior. Does anyone try to peer as to what the experimentees are doing/ looking at? Count the number of people. Do other people go over to investigate? How do the seats in which you are seated feel? Do they have a back to them or is it exposed to the elements?
