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Virginia Tech

WayFinding: A Story Told Through The Senses

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Architecture often references the five senses through conveying moments and experiences that someone could have in a specific setting. The purpose of this thesis is to dive deeper into how the senses can be engaged and how they relate to the concept of wayfinding. This thesis explores how engaging the senses can assist in a person's physical and mental wayfinding, specifically through touch, sight, and smell. The building typology best suited to experiment with this was a community center because it is used by a myriad of different people of varying ages, height, mobility, etc. Multiple studies were conducted that centered around different textures, floral fragrances, and light quality. This is a story that takes you on a journey through a community center and narrates how the different senses are engaged, specifically with regards to wayfinding. In three different chapters you will feel the touch of a wall, follow a path of different fragrances, and see through different perspectives.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Architecture
Department dc:contributor.department
Architecture
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Coleman, Erin Ashley
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Jones, James R.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Jones, Kevin William
  • Korkuti, Arian

Subjects

dc:subject × 13

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:35040
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/110947

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Coleman, Erin Ashley. WayFinding: A Story Told Through The Senses. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/110947