Architectural Landmarks In Urban Wayfinding: The Effect of Natural Lighting.

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of natural lighting on the perception and use of architectural landmarks in urban wayfinding. To examine how different lighting conditions affect wayfinding, an experiment was conducted in Sheffield’s city centre with two distinct routes: one characterised by day landmarks and another by night landmarks. 19 participants were asked to complete a wayfinding task on these routes and describe them, and after completion, they were asked to sketch maps of them. The findings reveal that natural lighting significantly enhances landmark visibility during the day, while wayfinding at night relies more on artificial lighting and other sensory cues. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of strategically placing landmarks at decision points to improve navigational accuracy, regardless of lighting conditions. The research concludes by suggesting that architects should consider both natural and artificial lighting in the design of landmarks and explore the integration of multi-sensory cues to enhance wayfinding in urban environments.