Key Cues for Wayfinding in Windowless Spaces with Complex Circulation in Large Public Buildings

Wayfinding is a crucial aspect of the interaction between people and space, significantly influencing the quality of spatial experiences. With the accelerating process of global urbanisation and the demands for high-quality urbanisation in China, large public buildings with complex circulation windowless spaces, such as metro stations and commercial complexes, have become essential spaces in daily life. However, due to the lack of natural light and external environmental references, wayfinding difficulties have emerged as one of the key factors limiting the quality of spatial experiences in such spaces. This study focus on the core question: What spatial cues do people select during wayfinding in windowless spaces with complex circulation in large public buildings? Research methods such as on-site observations and recordings struggle to objectively measure people’s selection of spatial cues during wayfinding, limiting the possibility to identify specific spatial elements that affect the wayfinding experience in large windowless spaces. The development of ergonomic technologies now makes it possible to assess people’s selection of spatial cues during wayfinding.