A Quantitative Analysis of Creating Genius Loci in a Museum Based on Spatial Visibility Analysis

¹ Nanjing Audit University Jinshen College, Nanjing, 210023, China
² Key Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environment (Nanjing Normal University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210023, China
³ State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Geographical Environment Evolution (Jiangsu Province), Nanjing, 210023, China
⁴ Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China

Abstract

Analysing building styles and guiding architectural design with architectural phenomenology is essential for spatial design. Architectural phenomenology and especially shaping the genius loci facilitates emotional expression in design. This creates a building-human connection and a meaningful spatial social culture. It also provides a sense of direction and identity. However, architectural phenomenology is abstract and perceptual, helping designers create architecture through qualitative analysis. This complicates practical guidance during their creative process: it lacks a quantitative explanation of its practical design applications. This research focuses on the genius loci (a sense of direction and identity) in architectural phenomenology. It also explores how quantitative analysis creates a museum's genius loci. Associating architectural legibility and narrative with the genius loci to enhance spatial readability and ensure richer description is the best way to accomplish this goal. A space syntax-based visibility graph analysis then determines how to create a legible space with a rich narrative for museum visitors. This is a quantitative method creating a museum's genius loci and provides architects with a standardized design method for creating a building's social culture. Finally, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders explains how spatial visibility creates and affects the genius loci.