Cite as:
Peponis J, Dalton R C, Wineman J, Dalton N, 2004, "Measuring the effects of layout upon visitors' spatial behaviors in open plan exhibition settings" Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 31(3) 453 – 473
Download citation data in RIS format

Measuring the effects of layout upon visitors' spatial behaviors in open plan exhibition settings

John Peponis, Ruth Conroy Dalton, Jean Wineman, Nick Dalton

Received 5 July 2003; in revised form 30 October 2003

Abstract. Two arguments are made based on the analysis of traveling science exhibitions. First, sufficiently refined techniques of spatial analysis allow us to identify the impact of layout upon visitors' paths and behaviors, even in moderately sized open plans which afford almost random sequences of movement and relatively unobstructed visibility. Specifically, contact with exhibits is associated with their relative accessibility while active engagement is associated with exhibit cross-visibility. Second, newly developed or adapted techniques of analysis allow us to make a transition from modeling the mechanics of spatial movement (the way in which movement is affected by the distribution of obstacles and boundaries) to modeling the manner in which movement registers additional aspects of visual information, particularly the arrangement of exhibits according to conceptual organizing themes. The advantages of such purely spatial modes of analysis extend into providing us with a sharper understanding of some of the underlying constraints within which exhibition content is conceived and designed.

Restricted material:

 Full-text PDF size: 969 Kb

 References  15 references, 2 with DOI links ()

Your computer (IP address: 50.19.155.235) has not been recognised as being on a network authorised to view the full text or references of this article. If you are a member of a university library that has a subscription to the journal, please contact your serials librarian (subscriptions information).