Memory of Design Features in Built Environments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify memory of design features or wayfinding preferences that may be related to gender and ethnicity. This was done in order to assess whether there were any statistically significant differences in memory for design features or wayfinding preferences in the built environment for gender and ethnicity. Findings from this research may help design practitioners make more informed decisions for planning design features and visual landmarks as wayfinding aids in the built environment. This study investigated memory of design features in the built environment. It also investigated the impact gender and ethnicity had on wayfinding preferences. Procedurally, 129 students at Virginia College in Birmingham, Alabama viewed the PowerPoint slide presentation of an interior environment and completed the survey instrument. Results from the two-way analysis of variance statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the predictor variable of gender regarding memory of design features in the built environment. Results from the two-way analysis of variance statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between gender regarding wayfinding preferences. There were statistically significant differences between the predictor variable of ethnicity regarding wayfinding preferences. There was a statistically significant interaction effect between gender and ethnicity for wayfinding preferences.