An Experiential Study On The Ability Of Institutes Entrance Design Elements And Physical Features In Inducing Perceived Image Among The Observers: With Reference To Entrance Edifice Of Technical Institutes In Tiruchirappalli And Thanjavur Region

This study attempts to reveal that the entrance design elements and physical features attributes of entrance of the institutes of technical education has the ability in inducing perceived image among the observers about the technical Institutes in Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur region. Furthermore, to establish that perceived image of a setting is a function of legibility of design elements and characteristic physical features of the setting. In pursuit of this, the selected concepts for understanding features of physical environmentImage relationships identified by Kevin Lynch (1959): Form Identity, Visual scope, Dominance, legibility, and sensory stimulation are the key factors considered of this study that were investigated through observation and collected response from the students for a set of structured questionnaire in selected learning environments of college level institutions in and around Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur district. The research questions examined through the selected factors here are: 1) does the form articulation and uniqueness of the entrance design elements facilitate in inducing superior image about the institute among the observers. 2) Does the visual distance and possibility of viewing entire span of the built structure of the entrance support in inducing superior image about the institute among the observers. 3) Does the greater size, scale and proportion of the physical features of the entrance aid in inducing superior image about the institute among the observers. 4) Does the clarity on spatial articulation and ease of perceiving the entrance design elements augment in inducing superior image about the institute among the observers. 5) Does the figureground relation, finish color and texture of the material of construction of the entrance structure endorse in inducing superior image about the institute among the observers. Data collected with questionnaires completed by 458 respondents from selected engineering colleges in Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur region were analyzed and the results indicate that the Entrance design elements and physical features are significant in inducing perceived superior image among the observers besides the other uncontrolled variables. Thereby, proving the Research hypothesis that perceived image of a setting is a function of legibility of design elements and Characteristic physical features of the setting. Furthermore, the research findings indicate that more design variables could be studied in different context to bring out further significant insights in understanding the relationship between perceived image and image building capacities of the variables of built environment at large.