Sunday, March 29, 2009

3/30 Behavioral (Wild Card)


When thinking of locations that truly demonstrate behavioral design I immediately thought of a spa. When stepping into that sort of atmosphere, one immediately reacts in a certain way due to the specific design elements surrounding them.

Above is a great example of behavioral elements found within many spas. One of these elements includes the soft task lighting within the space. The darker, more intimate lighting allows for less distraction, and lets visitors know that they must remain quiet when in the room. Also, with this particular lighting located on side tables, each area seems to recreate the feeling of a bedroom, one of the most intimate and comfortable areas in one’s home. Furthermore, harsh overhead lighting would decrease the feeling of relaxation.

Many of the design elements within this particular space invoke the theme of privacy. Some of these elements include the dividing curtains that separate each bed. Also, instead of overhead lighting throughout the area, each space gets its own lamp. These elements show visitors that each small area is there own space at that time. Therefore, they know not to disturb others in the surrounding beds.

Finally, the following spa location creates a calming feeling. When one visits the site they are immediately relaxed and comforted. This reaction is created by the use of natural materials throughout the space, such as the tree motifs on the curtains, as well as the use of natural woods. Furthermore, the space consists of a neutral color scheme. Due to this color scheme visitors can focus on their treatments and are not distracted by their surrounding environment.

Overall, a spa atmosphere, including the example above, is clear with its intentions towards its visitors, who immediately know how to act within the space.

Do you think this space is successful in creating a relaxing atmosphere?
Does this space meet your expectations when it comes to typical spa designs?
What reactions would you have when entering this space?

2 comments:

  1. Yes this space is successful in creating a relaxing atomosphere. The dim initimate lighting creates a relaxing, soothing feel, the individual space created with the seperate beds and dividing curtains let the person know they can have privacy if wanted, which is a big factor in a spa type relaxing area. Also the use of warm tones and soft materials in the space all work together in making this space. The space meets my expectations when it comes to the typical spa design in some ways and in some ways it does not. It has the relaxing feel and dim lighting and soft surfaces. But in most spa areas, especially massages and so forth, there are seperate rooms to make the person feel more comfortable, here just the shear curtain with all the beds in one room, is not typical. My reaction upon entering this space would immediately be calming and soothing. It would honestly make me want to just rest.

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  2. I agree with Kayla that this space is successful in creating a relaxing atmosphere. What does it for me is the lighting, as well. It makes me think of the kind of lightplay that happens when you're getting ready for bed and you've turned off all the other lights in the house except for your bedside lamp. The lighting is 'bedside table' ambient. I don't know if it would meet my expectations for a typical spa, however. The places I've gone to get a facial or a massage offered a more personalized experience than the one pictured her. After all, there are times in a spa when you are nearly naked. I don't know if I would feel comfortable reclining in a row of people if I didn't know them. The dividing curtains also kind of remind me of hospital curtains. I could maybe see how this would be successful if you were having a 'girls day' with your friends and you all came together but otherwise my reaction to this space is... 'can't I just be by myself to relax'
    I am an introvert though, maybe that has something to do with it.

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