ABSTRACT
People from different cultures perceive space differently. The term proxemics describes the study of space and how different people conceptualize, use and organize space. First presented by Edward Hall in 1966, proxemics explains how intimate, personal, social, and public distances may differ depending on a person’s cultural background, gender, age, and relationship with others. For design, it is not only important to understand the cultural context, but also the characteristics of the potential users of the space. This chapter draws on practical examples from public seating, workplaces, and building design – as well as how NASA incorporated personal space and privacy elements into the design of space stations and selection of astronauts – to highlight the importance of considering human spatial needs in design practice.
