A Study on the Use of Experience Design Elements in Complex Cultural Spaces Utilizing Idle Industrial Facilities

Abstract

As the industrial structure of cities has significantly changed today, many idle industrial facilities, arising from the collapse of secondary industries such as manufacturing, are being repurposed into new spaces for modern cultural activities to align with the new industrial structure. With the improvement in living standards within these spaces, interest in culture has increased, leading to the rise of experiential and participatory cultural activities. In the era of the experience economy, complex cultural spaces that feature exhibitions, sales, performances, and experiences centered on culture and arts are increasingly emerging. This study aims to explore the application of experiential design in complex cultural spaces by analyzing the experiential design elements of both domestic and international cases, focusing on the accessibility of users and spatial dimensions. The spatial dimension of this study focuses on domestic and international cases of complex cultural spaces that repurpose idle industrial facilities. It examines the concepts, spatial compositions, and experiential design elements and characteristics of these spaces. By analyzing the experiential design elements in each case, this study assesses the characteristics in terms of user and spatial accessibility. The analysis results indicate that from the user’s perspective, there is a need for utilizing various elements, as there is a strong focus on the materials and color contrasts of the space. In terms of interactivity, all four cases are composed of programs reflecting regional characteristics, resulting in monotonous forms of art and cultural activities. Most spaces are passive in terms of experiential engagement, highlighting the need for planning spaces that allow for active interactive experiences. Thus, from the user’s perspective, it is necessary to enhance participatory and interactive experiences and to plan for genuine experiences through diversity and direct participation within the space. From the spatial perspective, while symbolic, historical, and open aspects are generally high, continuity, complexity, and variability experiences are relatively lacking and require improvement. This study presents the characteristics of experiential design elements in complex cultural spaces utilizing idle industrial facilities and identifies areas needing improvement based on their accessibility. Building on the results of this study, future research will aim to provide specific strategies for applying various unique experiential design elements to complex cultural spaces.