Browsing by Subject "Interior Design"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Employees' satisfaction as influenced by acoustic and visual privacy in the open office environment
    (2014-08) Soules, Maureen Jeanette
    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between employees' acoustic and visual privacy issues and their perceived satisfaction in their open office work environments while in focus work mode. The study examined the Science Teaching Student Services Building at the University of Minnesota Minneapolis. The building houses instructional classrooms and administrative offices that service UMN students. The Sustainable Post-Occupancy Evaluation Survey was used to collect data on overall privacy conditions, acoustic and visual privacy conditions, and employees' perceived privacy conditions while in their primary workplace. Paired T-tests were used to analyze the relationships between privacy conditions and employees' perceptions of privacy. All hypotheses are supported indicating that the privacy variables are correlated to the employees' perception of satisfaction within the primary workplace.The findings are important because they can be used to inform business leaders, designers, educators and future research in the field of office design.
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    Employees’ Satisfaction With Indoor Environment Quality Associated With Primary And Alternative Workspaces In Office Environments
    (2015-12) Bauer, Theresa
    The purpose of this study was to address employees’ satisfaction with indoor environment quality (IEQ) associated with alternative workspaces (AWSp) and primary workspaces (PWSp). Specific IEQ criteria of interest included acoustics, appearance (aesthetics), daylighting, electric lighting, function, furnishings, indoor air quality, thermal conditions, vibration and movement, and view. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted with employees (faculty, staff and students) who had workspace in a facility designed and developed referencing sustainable design guidelines. Hanson Hall was selected for this study as it was developed referencing the B3 Guidelines (formerly known as the Minnesota Sustainability Guidelines or MSBG). Hanson Hall is a five-level, classroom and office building located on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and includes approximately 25,400 square feet of space dedicated to primary workspaces (PWSp) and 23,900 square feet of space allocated to alternative workspaces (AWSp). The Sustainable Post-Occupancy Evaluation Survey (SPOES) was used for this study and modified to include questions for an Alternative Workspace Module. Affordance theory served as the theoretical framework for this research, and a model was developed to illustrate employees’ (observing/perceiving) satisfaction with the IEQ criteria in the designed environment, natural environment, and social environment. Employees responded to an online survey to rate their satisfaction with the overall facility (site, building and interior) [F (SBI)], their PWSp, and their AWSp. They also rated their satisfaction with IEQ criteria associated with their PWSp and self-identified AWSp. Satisfaction was rated on a 1-7 Likert-type scale, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. An IEQ satisfaction score was developed from the weighted means of the 11 IEQ criteria resulting in an overall composite IEQ score of 5.32 for the PWSp and 5.29 for the AWSp. The IEQ criterion affording the highest level of satisfaction with PWSp was function, and the lowest level of satisfaction was view. The IEQ criterion affording the highest level of satisfaction for the AWSp was function and the lowest level of satisfaction was view. ANOVA results of the overall satisfaction with the F (SBI), PWSp, and AWSp revealed statistically significant differences among the three IEQ scores. Previous research on employees’ satisfaction with IEQ criteria was associated only with the overall F (SBI) and the PWSp. This study addressed the increasing use of AWSp to accommodate employees’ work modes with the goal to develop a more comprehensive understanding of employees’ satisfaction with IEQ criteria across all workplace settings. This research served as a pilot study and is considered limited in scope and in sample size (N=26). However, much was learned about AWSp and the process used to evaluate employees’ satisfaction with their AWSp.
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    Feedback Orientation of Students in Studio-Based Learning Courses
    (2021-04) Hendrickson, Meghan
    Formative Assessment plays a critical role in the pedagogy of Studio Based Learning (SBL). Budget constrictions are increasing class sizes, leaving SBL instructors less time to spend with each student. Instructors need to be efficient and effective in their feedback. This research aims to identify interior design students’ orientation to their instructors’ feedback during SBL courses. This study analyzed student’s feedback sentiments along four orientations; utility, sensitivity, confidentiality, and retention. All participants found utility in their instructors' feedback; most participants were not sensitive and retained the feedback. For maximum effectiveness, instructors should consider the orientations of each student when giving feedback. Further studies are needed to provide SBL instructors a guide for quality feedback.
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    Intersections of Culture and Well-being in the Workplace Environment
    (2015-06) Scott, Angelita
    This study is an investigation of how culture affects employee well-being in the workplace environment. It is also an attempt at constructing an instrument that measures the relationship between culture and well-being in such settings. Correlation and logistic regression tests were conducted to understand the relationships of the independent variables culture (operationalized by ethnicity), physical environment, social characteristics, and visual characteristics and their effect on well-being. Hofstede's (1984) cultural dimensions and Travis' (2010) 10 principles of Black cultural design were used as theoretical frameworks to ground the concepts. Hypotheses statements were developed for this study and include: culture influences employees' well-being in the workplace; the overall physical environment influences well-being in the workplace; social characteristics influence well-being in the workplace; and visual characteristics influence well-being in the workplace. Findings resulted in no significance for the hypotheses tested nor the logistic regression model. However, it is suggested that further testing of the model is conducted due to the small sample size and skewed variables. It is also highly recommended that more qualitative studies are conducted around the concepts of culture and well-being to have a better understanding of the complex aspects of culture and well-being in the workplace. Culture is important in the workplace environment, therefore studies such as this one are important. Designing spaces that increase connectivity and relationships is not only beneficial to employee well-being, but it also has the advantage of increasing an organization's bottom line.
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    The net-generation interior design student: an exploratory study assessing learning and engagement within a computer simulation environment.
    (2009-06) Peterson, Julie Ellen
    The first purpose of this experimental study was to determine if there were effects on achievement between traditional pencil-and-paper instructional strategies and computer simulated instructional strategies used to teach interior design business ethics. The second purpose was to determine the level of engagement of interior design students using traditional pencil-and paper instructional strategies compared to computer simulated instructional strategies to learn business ethics. The data offered both quantitative and qualitative evidence of preferred instructional strategies and what characteristics contributed towards level of engagement. Net-generation learners, born between 1982 and 2000, have been exposed to technology their whole lives and have come to expect the integration of various forms of multi-media instructional strategies within the classroom. Many studies have been conducted that integrate and analyze computer simulation and/or gaming with higher education, but research is very limited within the field of interior design. The study included 21 undergraduate interior design students. Analysis was both quantitative and qualitative in nature including descriptive statistics, frequencies, independent sample t-tests, ANCOVA statistical analysis, and questionnaires with both Likert-type and open-ended question formats. Even though statistical results were not found to be significant and were inconclusive, overall results indicated that the computer simulated case studies created an authentic, dynamic, and empowering learning environment that engaged the learners.
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    Nurses' Interaction in Two Midwest Single-Patient Room Designed Neonatal Intensive Care Units
    (2015-05) Boyle, Angela
    This study sought to understand nurses' interactions with one another in two small-sized single-patient room (SPR) designed neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Data gathered from ten nurse participants at two Midwest hospitals gave insight into what designed features enhance or inhibit nurse interaction. Rashid's (2009) theoretical framework linking hospital clinicians' face-to-face interaction, based on patient type, framed the data collection and analysis; several collective findings were uncovered. The majority of nurse participants expressed concern about their decreased visibility of one another. Participants noted the increased need for trust of one another, and awareness throughout the unit. Participants also expressed new patient safety concerns as a result of over-reliance on technology, including infection control and miscommunication. Practical implications for these findings suggest including nursing staff in the design process. Interior designers must incorporate designed features that allow nursing staff to visually monitor patients, while simultaneously having clear visibility of one another.
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    Place Attachment and Female Identity of Traditional Souk Wajif: Implications for Interior Design
    (2016-12) Dashti, Reem
    Traditional markets were and still are the backbone of any Islamic city. They are effective on the formation of the collective identity and emotional bond between the citizens, historic places and culture. Kuwaiti traditional markets experienced intense changes these past few decades. Architectural and technological advances are clashing with the character of traditional interior spaces and women traders are caught in the midst of this change and have to navigate tradition and modernity. This thesis focuses on women traders in traditional markets in Kuwait City and explores their attempts to construct identity through traditional public space, particularly, inside women’s market known as Souk Wajif. This exploration will help interior designers to better understand how places are produced and how materials, textures, and spatial layouts influence place attachment and relate to personal identity. Place attachment describes the positive bonds between people to physical and social settings, which support their identity and psychological needs. The concept of place attachment may serve as a defense mechanism against identity crises in the periods of transitions between major developmental stages in Kuwaiti society and it can contribute to preserving traditional architecture from identity loss. The study elaborates on the theory-base aspect of place attachment as well as the interior design field by identifying a cluster of social and physical characteristics such as social and physical characteristics associated with traditional spaces that influence women’s identity and psychological needs. This study will examine the impact of renovating a Kuwaiti traditional market on place attachment and identity of women sellers. Mixed methodology was implemented to conduct survey and interviews of 20 women sellers in Souk Wajif in Kuwait, while personal observations were used as a supplementing data source through visual documentation of the Souk’s interior space, which assisted in understanding the spatial dynamics of Souk Wajif. Findings that emerged from the study of 20 women sellers showed that social attachment is heavily influenced by physical attachment. Also, the degree of attachment varied with age, personal experiences, and length of settlement in the Souk. This study broadens the knowledge of interior design practice and education based on traditional architectural concepts by identifying a cluster of design traits implemented in traditional spaces that influence Kuwaiti female’s identity. Also, this study identifies ways to address women traders’ needs and spatial requirements of the stalls inside the Souk, and proposes thoughtful design solutions that are culturally responsive. This will provide a helpful guideline for the government and policy makers for future developments to similar traditional public environments.
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    Thermal comfort and window proximity as they relate to perceived employee performance and satisfaction.
    (2010-08) Ihle, Kari A.
    Abstract summary not available.
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    Understanding psychological well-being and the home environment: a qualitative exploration
    (2014-02) Scott, Angelita L.
    This study seeks to understand how the physical home environment affects psychological well-being for stay-at-home mothers. By asking What does well-being in the home mean? Are there physical characteristics or features in the home environment that increase well-being? Are there physical characteristics or features in the home environment that decrease well-being? Face-to-face interviews, observation, and photo elicitation were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 14 stay-at-home mothers who had one or more children from birth to five years of age. Kreitzer's (2012) well-being model was used as a conceptual framework that informed questions and directed analysis. Findings showed that space, access to nature, personalization, and privacy/retreat were important for well-being in the mothers' homes, while clutter and lack of cleanliness detracted from well-being.