Proxemics: You're in My Space

Proxemics in Design

Proxemics is all about the way that people interact with each other in a space. Designers use proxemics to distance people in spaces, depending on whether or not the space is meant to be social or not. This can be found in just about any public space that you can think of. There are three different types of proxemic spaces: fixed-feature spaces, semi fixed-feature spaces, and informal spaces. As you use these public spaces, you may be able to pick out which type of space it is in relation to proxemics.

Fixed-feature Space

Source

Fixed-feature space refers to the elements of a space that are fixed or immovable. These could be the walls or floors, or even the building itself. These types of spaces provide an area for a certain activity to occur. An example of this type of space that I notice in my own experience is in my library. The main entrance space is very large and open; the space extends both horizontally and vertically. Not only does this allow for the sound that is made in this space to get lost in the high ceilings, but the large space and lack of barricading walls encourages movement, which in turn affects collaboration in the space, at least on the first floor. As for the rest of the library's floors, they have lower ceilings and lots of walls that separate the private study spaces from the regular narrow walkways. This type of tight space discourages noise. If you want to work in collaboration with someone on this floor, you would use one of the study rooms; however, you'd notice that the rooms are quite small with very low ceilings. This forces the users to be very close together, which affects the volume that they'd speak at as well as the activities that can take place in that room.

Semi Fixed-Space

Sketch by Me

The next type of space has to do with the way the furniture is arranged in said space to affect the end use. Semi fixed-space pertains to movable objects in a space and the way that they are laid out; the furniture can be laid out to encourage sociofugal or sociopetal space. As for this type of space, I notice this in public places such as hospitals, doctors offices, restaurants, and other businesses. The way that the furniture is laid out and directed is determined by its end use and if it's more of a social environment or a private within a public space. I work at a movie theater quite often, so I have plenty of time to notice the way that people use that space based on the layout of the furniture and equipment. When they walk in they usually would buy their tickets at the concessions stand. For the most part, unless you encounter those few people that like to make things difficult, the customers will stop talking to the people that they cam in with or at least talk a little quieter. That is because they are in a business setting very close to the employees but even closer to the next register where the next person is giving out their reward account information. The proximity of the registers and the people using them affects the way tat people interact to each other while they are using them. Then they get their drinks and popcorn and head over to the drink machines. There are two drink machines that are fairly close to each other, so I notice the same type of  behavior but less intense. In between their trip from the register to the drink machines and popcorn butter, the customers walk through the lobby and tend to stop and sit at the chairs and tables which are sociopetal in some parts and sociofugal in the others. When it gets to the actual theaters is when I notice the way people interact with each other based on their environment. The seats are all very close to each other and all face forward. This type of arrangement inhibits communication other than the very seldom quiet whisper. Often times, there are those that want to talk during the movie, and the other movie watchers get very frustrated in this event because they understand that this is just not allowed.

Informal Space

Picture taken by me

Informal space is the interaction of individuals within in a space; it is the way that they maintain private space with each other in reference to the spatial distance zones. There are four spatial distance zones: intimate, personal, social, and public (Hall 2017). I notice this type of space a lot at a dance club. People may dance very close to each other and maintain a very intimate or personal distance with each other, but I can also notice people keeping more distance from others when they are dancing or going to get a drink; they might maintain social or even public spatial distance with each other. It all depends on the amount on the way that they want to maintain that distance.

Conclusion

The way a space is designed affects the way that people interact with each other. The three different types of space when it comes to proxemics can all be found in the same building; it all depends on the way the space is intended to be used. proximity is very important to the functionality of a space.

E. T. Hall – Proxemics (Understanding Personal Space). (2017, June 08). Retrieved from https://laofutze.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/e-t-hall-proxemics-understanding-personal-space/

Nussbaumer, L. L. (2018). Human factors in the built environment. New York, NY: Fairchild Books, An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.