[Last modified: October, 27 2024 07:47 PM]
Fieldwork Observation: A Study of Spatial Interaction and Usage at the Student Centre Staircase
Field Location: Large staircase at the Student Centre
Fieldwork Date and Time: October 25, 11:40–12:10
Field Notes Content: Observational sketches, personal insights into the environment’s characteristics, and interaction details.
Key Observations and Findings
During this particular observation period, the Student Centre’s large staircase served as a bustling hub of activity, coinciding with times when classes were either starting or finishing. This led to a rapid flow of people moving through the space, highlighting the staircase’s role as a central transition area. While some individuals sat in pairs or small groups to converse, the majority appeared focused on their smartphones or laptops, working independently. This dynamic space thus appeared to offer an environment where people could be aware of movement around them without feeling overly observed—a quality likely appealing to those who prefer some ambient activity while working.
The structure of the staircase itself, which functions both as a passage between floors and as a casual seating area, contributes to its utility and atmosphere. However, several factors limit its comfort for extended use. For instance, the hard seating surface and lack of desks make it difficult to work for long periods, especially for those balancing laptops on their knees. The indirect lighting on the cloudy day added to this challenge, making the staircase less ideal as a study space. Nonetheless, a few individuals appeared relaxed, leaning against the wall along the stair’s edge to work on their laptops, suggesting that some may prefer the staircase’s informal, adaptable seating to other more structured areas in the centre. Given the limited availability of comfortable seating like couches in the Student Centre, this space may attract those who seek unconventional seating arrangements where they can work in a casual posture.
The staircase’s role also extends beyond being a workspace. Some students were observed stopping momentarily to organize their belongings, check their phones, or glance over their schedules, using the staircase as a brief resting spot amid their movements through the centre. Others used it simply as a pathway or transitional area. This makes it an ideal location for quick, practical activities that require minimal time and interaction. Interestingly, in terms of interaction, I observed a student noticing and greeting a friend seated on the stairs. This brief encounter illustrates the space’s potential to facilitate casual, spontaneous social interactions, likely due to its open and accessible design, which encourages visibility and ease of interaction.
Reflection on Field Notes and Sketching Process
Reflecting on the field notes, I realized that the attempt to capture people’s movement using color in sketches added visual complexity that, while informative, seemed somewhat cluttered when reviewed later. While the sketches make sense to me now, they may appear unclear if revisited in a year due to the lack of specificity and context. The written descriptions of each element, on the other hand, are likely to remain interpretable over time, suggesting that detailing observations in words might be more effective for long-term documentation than relying solely on sketches.
Additionally, a key insight from this exercise was the value of characterizing individuals beyond generic terms like “a boy” or “a girl.” Such general descriptors offer little help in reconstructing the observation later; adding more defining characteristics would likely facilitate clearer recollection of specific interactions and contexts, enriching the overall analysis of the setting and its social dynamics.