The motivation for this project is the desire to increase my knowledge of how our surroundings affect us. Pedestrian underpasses struck me as an interesting research object for this purpose. Even though they are rarely destinations in themselves, many people use them every day and that, consequently, affects how we experience the city. However, we seem to have a predominantly negative attitude towards them. Based on environmental psychology, the intention of the project is to explore how spatial attributes can help reduce this disparity.
There are many factors that affect people’s perception of underpasses. What distinguishes them from other spaces, however, is the challenging architecture that more or less limits our primary needs for freedom of movement, overview and daylight. In an evolutionary psychological perspective, these factors make our surroundings more likely to trigger stress, fear and discomfort, regardless of subjective or cultural preferences. On the contrary, all research identifies nature and references to nature as the most preferred qualities in our surroundings. Among other things, this is based on the assumption that nature through its aesthetic appeal, is intuitively perceived as stress-reducing. The purpose of the research has thus been to solve intuitive discomfort with intuitive well-being by finding methods to merge the positive qualities of nature into the urban context.
Inspired by the dynamic, contrasts, openness and stimuli of nature, I have mapped out spatial attributes that would make the underpass more humane through enriching the sensory experience, increasing the sense of space and encouraging movement. Through an abstract approach, I can create synergy with the urban environment and give users the opportunity to freely interpret what they see. This will trigger curiosity, increase emotional presence and distract us from discomfort. In addition, higher aesthetic quality could prevent crime and increase the feeling of safety. This could eventually establish underpasses as places for reflection and everyday enjoyment that gives back to the city as a whole. Using the underpass at Bergen bus station as a case, I have explored how these attributes can be implemented.
Underpasses will probably remain part of the urban landscape in future. Due to increasing urbanisation and population density as well as environmental and lifestyle challenges, it is vital to strengthen the city’s social functions through attractive, democratic urban spaces which encourage usage. Given this situation, I consider it important to explore what urban life can be from the perspective of an interior architect.