Non-Ordinary Built Environments and Child Experience in Interior Architecture

Authors : Elif Özgen

Pages : 23-40

View : 82 | Download : 107

Publication Date : 2026-03-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The potential of non-ordinary built environments for child users shows that the spatial experience is not limited to physical components but forms a multi-layered whole in which sensory and cognitive processes are intertwined. Underground salt mines offer a unique field of study in this context, and the natural microclimate and volumetric qualities allow recreational uses and remedial processes to be shaped simultaneously in the same space. In the study, the interaction between natural healing properties and play-based spatial arrangements is analyzed through the example of Salina Turda, and the integration of the child user experience with spatial components is revealed. The research is carried out using a qualitative method comprising a literature review, on-site observation, and spatial analysis. As a result of the examination, it is observed that underground spaces create a strong environmental context that supports exploration behavior in children thanks to their sensory density, volumetric effects, and historical layers, but it is understood that creative participation is limited due to the closed-ended structure of the playgrounds. The study\\\'s original contribution is to integrate the NoBE approach with the concept of healing space and to propose a new theoretical framework for interior design for child users. The findings from the example of Salina Turda clearly reveal the design possibilities for developing play-based remedial spatial strategies in underground structures. It strengthens the field\\\'s interdisciplinary nature and therefore contributes to the development of remedial spatial strategies.
Keywords : Child and space, Underground interior, Playing space, Healing environment, Non-ordinary built environment

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL