Affordance-Based Evaluations that Focus on Supporting the Needs of Users:

The Concept and Use of AffordancesOverviewThis article discusses using an affordance-based approach to evaluating therapeutic and restorative spaces in healthcare settings. Affordances can be described as the functional potential of environmental features that carry meanings and values in how they support human usage ([Gibson, 1979]). Viewing physical environments through the lens of affordances makes it possible for individuals to make decisions quickly and comprehensively regarding the supportive characteristics of an environment, for the purpose of influencing or facilitating behavior ([Chemero, 2003]). When care providers and designers are required to plan or evaluate therapeutic spaces, they need to be able to understand whether these spaces will meet the requirements of the user groups they are intended to serve. The use of affordance-based evaluations offers a way to incorporate the critically important interrelationships of features in an environment, from the perspective of specific user groups.Affordances can be described as the functional potential of environmental features that carry meanings and values in how they support human usage This can be more revealing than simply recording the presence or absence of the separate environmental features, and counting/measuring them, as might be done with a simple design inventory of a space that may be informed by professional best practices. This is also a subtle shift beyond the use of postoccupancy evaluations (POEs), many of which have a basis in research for specific user groups. The difference is in the added dimension of proactively observing and recording the support, value, and usefulness of features within a space. This is done for a specifically identified user niche whose needs are clearly drawn from research.Links Between the Design and Features of Physical Spaces and Health/LongevityAmple research has shown clear linkages between patient and resident quality of life and the design and arrangement of spaces within the clinics, hospitals, and residential care facilities that support these users (e.g. [Cooper Marcus & Sachs, 2014]; [Miller & Swensson, 2002]; [Rodiek, Lee, & Nejati, 2014]; [Ulrich, Berry, Quan, & Parish, 2010]). Connections to nature, both active and passive, and social interaction can all be supported through targeted features within an interior space or landscape, whether at the scale of a large clinic waiting room or a small outdoor therapeutic garden (e.g. [Coles & Millman, 2013]; [Souter-Brown, 2015]). Research and design experience (a primary focus of the Health Environments Research & Design journal) has identified many specific environmental features and qualities that have been found to provide these benefits. Some of these environmental characteristics include indoor sunlight in hospital rooms ([Beauchemin & Hays, 1996], [1998]), views of nature that promote healing ([Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989]; [Ulrich, 1991]; [Ulrich et al., 2008]), clear wayfinding within complex hospital settings that help reduce stress ([Devlin, 2014]; [Ulrich, 2001]), comfortable chairs that have backs and arms to support seniors and those with balance challenges ([Malone & Dellinger, 2011]), gardens that stimulate multiple senses to support cognitive function ([Barnicle & Midden, 2003]; [Whitehouse et al., 2001]), and activity elements that can help to achieve therapeutic goals in the care of children while also enhancing play ([McMahon, 2012]).Utilize the Interrelationships of ElementsIn real-world settings, there is typically a complex interplay among environmental features, which is an essential aspect of their restorative potential for the intended users. Relationships such as comfortable seating coupled with shade plantings or structures will enhance the support for frail seniors who may be sensitive to bright sunlight or heat ([Rodiek & Schwarz, 2005]). …