Abstract:
Interior design is more than just the design of spaces.
It is the study of human activity, interaction, movement
and spatial governance. These result in the user being
both emotionally and physically involved in the interior.
Therefore interior design also allows for cooperation
between building and user. However when this matter
of cooperation is overlooked the negative effect falls
on the service that the building provides leading to a
negative user perception.
User perception is currently not seen as a physical
parameter within an interior condition; however it has a
big role to play in terms of how public service buildings
function. The interior spaces within the current South
African public service domain are prone to this lack of
cooperation between building and user. As is evident
in service delivery, there is no sharing of information
between building and user leading to confusion,
frustration and an overall negative perception of the
work that is being done there.
Many different forms of analysis can be used to
determine where these problems lie within the interior.
Using elements from other fields of design can add
layers of information enriching the design decisions
made through the interior design solution.
By overstepping the boundary between Service Design
and interior design, the designer delves into a unique
understanding of the processes and associated
problems within the service delivery, and through this
understanding a more informed spatial solution can be
developed.
Information visualization and interior design work hand
in hand as an instrument in presenting both problems
and solutions in a way that the layman can understand.
In an industry where information is lacking, finding new
streams of portraying it could change user perception
in a positive way.
The investigation of this problem will unfold in the
Tshwane Licencing Departments. Four sites within this
study will be investigated namely, Centurion, Waltloo,
Akasia and Rayton traffic departments. These sites will
be analysed to decipher the core problems that they
share. The Centurion Licencing Department will be
the site used to develop and test the proposed interior
intervention. This site is an example of an interior with a
lack of cooperation due to its misuse of interior space,
lack of wayfinding, circulation and non-existent identity.
Through efficiency, pleasant experience and providing
the user with all the information needed to complete
the process should allow for a cooperative interior
and therefore a change in perception. Interior Design
becomes the instrument to realise pleasant-efficiency
for service delivery. Even though Interior Design has
no control over the administrational aspects of service
delivery, it can shape the platform on which it is
delivered having a positive influence on both user and
service provider.
