Short answer

When designing integrated aboveground and underground commercial spaces, prioritize the user experience through excellent public spaces and seamless transportation systems, as these are the most critical factors for success.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (2024)
Method: Case study analysis and spatial performance evaluation.
Evidence: Strong effect

The spatial performance of integrated urban commercial complexes is most significantly influenced by the quality of public spaces and transportation networks, rather than solely by the arrangement of functional or landscape elements. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering. Using Case study analysis and spatial performance evaluation., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing integrated aboveground and underground commercial spaces, prioritize the user experience through excellent public spaces and seamless transportation systems, as these are the most critical factors for success.

Study

Classic DesignRecentStrong effect

Integrated aboveground-underground urban complexes benefit most from prioritizing public space and transportation systems.

Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering · 2024

Key Findings

01Public space performance and transportation system performance have the most significant impact on the overall spatial performance of integrated urban commercial complexes.
02Functional space and landscape environment performance have a relatively smaller influence compared to public spaces and transportation.
03Different complex typologies (inward aggregation, outward radiation, inner street) show varying performance characteristics.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When conceptualizing or redesigning urban commercial complexes that span aboveground and underground levels, conduct user journey mapping and public space audits early in the design process, giving them precedence over detailed functional zoning or landscape plans.

Project actions

01When evaluating a design for a multi-level space, consider how people will move between levels and interact in common areas.
02Use diagrams to show the flow of people and the hierarchy of spaces, highlighting public areas and transport routes.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key performance drivers for integrated aboveground and underground urban commercial complexes, and how can their spatial design be optimized?

MethodCase study analysis and spatial performance evaluation.

ProcedureA spatial performance evaluation framework was developed, assessing functional spaces, transportation systems, public spaces, and landscape environments. This framework was applied to representative case studies of three different urban commercial complex types. Optimization strategies were then proposed based on the findings.

ContextUrban commercial complexes with integrated aboveground and underground spaces.

Variables

IV["Performance of functional spaces","Performance of transportation systems","Performance of public spaces","Performance of landscape environments"]

DVOverall spatial performance of urban commercial complexes

CV["Complex type (courtyard-inward, courtyard-outward, inner street)","Integration of aboveground and underground spaces"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Introduces a comprehensive evaluation framework.
+Applies the framework to diverse case studies.

Limitations

The specific case studies might not represent the full diversity of urban commercial complexes. The framework's metrics might need adaptation for different cultural or economic contexts.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity relies on the robustness of its evaluation framework and the representativeness of its case studies. Reliability would be enhanced by inter-rater agreement on the performance assessments.

Think critically

To what extent can the findings regarding public space and transportation be generalized to other types of integrated architectural spaces, such as transit hubs or large educational campuses?

Design Principles

"The efficacy of integrated multi-level commercial spaces is primarily determined by the quality of their public circulation and communal areas."

This research highlights that the success of complex, multi-level urban developments hinges on creating seamless user journeys and inviting communal areas. Designers must look beyond individual component optimization to understand how interconnected systems contribute to the overall user experience and economic viability.

What This Means for Your Design

For big shopping centers that go both above and below ground, making sure people can easily get around and have nice places to hang out is more important than how the shops are arranged or how many plants there are.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of circulation and public space in your design project, especially if it involves multi-level or integrated environments.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research by Hong et al. (2024) provides valuable insights into the spatial performance of integrated aboveground and underground urban commercial complexes, suggesting that the effectiveness of such developments is significantly driven by the quality of public spaces and transportation systems. This finding is crucial for design projects aiming to create cohesive and user-centric environments, emphasizing the need to prioritize circulation and communal areas in the design process.

Source

Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering

Spatial performance evaluation and optimization of integrated aboveground and underground spaces in urban commercial complexes

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrated aboveground-underground urban complexes benefit most from prioritizing public space and transportation systems?: When designing integrated aboveground and underground commercial spaces, prioritize the user experience through excellent public spaces and seamless transportation systems, as these are the most critical factors for success. Evidence: Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (2024).
Why does "Integrated aboveground-underground urban complexes benefit most from prioritizing public space and transportation systems." matter for design?: This research highlights that the success of complex, multi-level urban developments hinges on creating seamless user journeys and inviting communal areas. Designers must look beyond individual component optimization to understand how interconnected systems contribute to the overall user experience and economic viability.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing integrated aboveground and underground commercial spaces, prioritize the user experience through excellent public spaces and seamless transportation systems, as these are the most critical factors for success.
What were the main findings?: Public space performance and transportation system performance have the most significant impact on the overall spatial performance of integrated urban commercial complexes.. Functional space and landscape environment performance have a relatively smaller influence compared to public spaces and transportation.. Different complex typologies (inward aggregation, outward radiation, inner street) show varying performance characteristics.
What research method was used?: Case study analysis and spatial performance evaluation..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2024 journal from Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When conceptualizing or redesigning urban commercial complexes that span aboveground and underground levels, conduct user journey mapping and public space audits early in the design process, giving them precedence over detailed functional zoning or landscape plans.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on specific typologies and may not generalize to all forms of integrated urban complexes. The evaluation framework's subjectivity could also be a factor.