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Dynamic Spatial Analysis: Can site-specific dance be used to further our understanding of the relationship between body and space and develop an architectural design tool?

Part 2 Dissertation 2019
Kayleigh Avey
University of Plymouth | UK
This research project developed from an interest in understanding how people use space and the body-spatial relationship. Background reading indicated that this research is incomplete as it uses a limited range of research methodologies. Therefore, the aim of this research project was to develop a new method for spatial analysis by combining site-specific dance and architectural studies. The combination of the two art forms helped to reveal new developing theories on body-spatial relationships which may be hidden when studying space from a single perspective.

This methodology recorded multiple dancers responding to a variety of physical sites. The recordings were carefully analysed by extracting still images with indicative gestures superimposed on top of the dancer. This process of interrogation helped to develop multiple observations and three key theories regarding the dancers relationship to the surrounding space. These are:
• Humans require a spatial anchor
• Concentrated architectural elements are more dominant
• Primal instincts of safety influence the way we exist in space

This research project acts as a catalyst into a new in-depth and cross-curricular field of study which long term will improve the architects understanding of the body-spatial relationship and the quality of architectural design.

Kayleigh Avey

Tutor(s)
Mr Robert Brown
Mathew Emmett
2019
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