The Relationship between Visual Preferences of Passengers in Subway Stations and the Interior Design of Their Space; Case Study: Tabriz Subway Stations

Nowadays, public transportation system, especially subway, is of particular importance in the world while its construction in the developing countries and Iran has been new, and unfortunately, there are no specific criteria for their construction in terms of spatial structure and design. Recently, in the construction process of most subway stations, quantity has been more considered than the quality, and proper design has been of low importance in accordance with what people want. One of the interior architecture's final purposes is creating a unique man-made environment. The current study identifies people's visual preferences in the interior space of the subway station based on Kaplan’s information processing theory, consisting of legibility, coherence, complexity, and mystery. Using a survey-quantitative research method, the visual and textual questionnaires were completed by the statistical samples, including 306 people in the six stations of Tabriz subway line 1. The relationship between the research variables and the influential factors in the visual preferences of subway passengers was analyzed using SPSS software. According to the obtained results regarding the interior space of the stations, the spatial structure of mystery obtained the maximum preference and the spatial structure of coherence gained the minimum preference among the four spatial configuration. Soft form, indirect and cold lighting, warm and neutral colors combination, the combination of brick, wood, and glass were identified as the influential physical features in the design of the subway stations. However, regular form, direct lighting, bright colors, and a combination of stone, ceramics, and glass were identified as less influential physical features in this design. The obtained criteria and patterns regarding subway design and spatial structures can be applied as a tool by managers, urban designers, and urban railway organization.