Occupant Number vs. Occupant Density: A Study in Proxemics

Abstract

Implicit to the study of proxemics is the relationship between occupant number and occupant density. In this study density referred to an objective measure of the number of people per unit area of space. Four attributes of the occupied space were examined: occupant dissatisfaction, perceived spaciousness, thermal acceptance and odor. The experiment was conducted under controlled environmental conditions in which temperature, humidity and clothing were held constant. In addition, the area per subject was uniform (40 sq. ft.), and the volume per subject was either 320 cu. ft. or 400 cu. ft. (ceiling height 8 ft. and 10 ft.) and the number of subjects per test was either 2, 4, or 6. The results demonstrated that the four attributes of the environment noted above were not affected and within the context of this experiment, 40 sq. ft. per person is perceived the same regardless of the number or gender of the occupants, or the volume per subject. Implications for future investigations are discussed.