Movement Within The Gates-Hillman Centers
Improving travel with Kailin Dong, Jessica Nip, and Grace cha
Overview:
After analyzing how users travel between floors within the Gates-Hillman Centers, which houses Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science, we concluded that the building's defining factor, its spiral ramp or helix, was widely disliked for its lack of efficiency. In order to improve the general opinion towards this helix, we devised a solution that accepted its inefficiency and instead accentuated the ramp's relaxing qualities.
Background Research
First, we found the primary modes of transportation within Gates. After exploring the building and talking to passersby, we concluded that there were three major routes that people used to go between floors: the stairwell near the entrance, the stairwell at the back of the building, and the helix.
Data Collection
In order to obtain information about who used which staircase and why, we relied on interviews, surveys, and general observations. When conducting research, we tried to avoid the influence of hidden variables such as time of day or day of the week. This was done by always collecting data within a particular time frame and only doing research during week days.
Data Analysis
After conducting research, we concluded that there were three primary audience groups that travelled between floors in Gates: commuters that used it as a shortcut to get to other buildings; studiers that took classes or did homework in the it, and cafe visitors that frequented the coffee shop on the lowest level of the building. Further analysis revealed that although the cafe visitors enjoyed using the helix, the other groups preferred to take the stairs because they valued the increased efficiency.
Identify The Problem
The most significant issue that we identified was the primarily negative outlook towards the helix. Its original purpose of providing an outlet for students to relax and enjoy themselves was not realized. Instead, most of the population simply viewed it as a waste of space. To improve this situation, we brainstormed different methods of changing users' perspective of the helix. In the end, we chose an intervention that emphasized the structure's original intent.
Develop an Intervention
To do this, we proposed adding signs throughout the helix that encouraged self reflection. This highlights the positive qualities of the helix and provides an outlet for students to take a break from the stresses within their daily lives. In addition to improving general opinions regarding the helix, this intervention could have a wider impact of balancing the competitive CMU culture and improving the populations' mental health.
Maayan Albert © 2020 | maayan.albert@gmail.com