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Influence of Entrance Canopy Design on Visitor Comfort in Public Buildings

Abstract

The study examines the influence of entrance canopy design on visitor comfort in public buildings, with emphasis on how the form, size, position, coverage, and material characteristics of entrance canopies affect the experience of people approaching and entering buildings. Entrance canopies provide protection from direct solar radiation, rainfall, and other environmental conditions while also contributing to the visual identity and functional organization of public building entrances. Their design can therefore influence the comfort, convenience, and usability of entrance areas. The study will assess selected characteristics of entrance canopy design and their relationship with visitor comfort. Attention will be given to canopy projection, width, height, orientation, coverage, material, shading capacity, protection from rainfall, relationship with entrance doors, waiting areas, pedestrian paths, and surrounding outdoor spaces. Visitor comfort will be assessed in terms of thermal conditions, protection from sun and rain, ease of movement, waiting convenience, perceived safety, visual comfort, and overall satisfaction with the entrance environment. A descriptive cross-sectional research design will be adopted for the study. An appropriate sample of public buildings and their visitors will be selected using a suitable sampling technique. Data will be collected through physical observation, dimensional measurements of entrance canopies, environmental assessments, photographic documentation, and structured questionnaires administered to visitors and relevant building personnel. The collected data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while appropriate comparative and correlation techniques will be applied to examine the relationship between canopy design characteristics and visitor comfort. The study is expected to reveal variations in visitor comfort associated with differences in entrance canopy design. Canopies with adequate projection, suitable height, sufficient coverage, and appropriate orientation are expected to provide better protection from direct sunlight and rainfall while supporting comfortable movement and waiting at building entrances. Poorly designed or undersized canopies may provide inadequate environmental protection and contribute to discomfort, particularly during periods of intense solar exposure or rainfall. Other factors such as entrance orientation, surrounding landscaping, pedestrian circulation, building use, and visitor volume may also influence comfort. The findings will be useful to architects, building designers, facility managers, developers, public institutions, and other professionals involved in the planning and management of public buildings. The study may provide practical information for improving entrance areas through appropriate canopy dimensions, orientation, shading provision, weather protection, and integration with pedestrian circulation. It may also support the development of more comfortable and functional public building entrances that respond to users' environmental and movement needs. The study will conclude by establishing the influence of entrance canopy design on visitor comfort in public buildings and emphasizing the importance of considering environmental protection and user convenience during entrance design. It is recommended that entrance canopies be appropriately sized, positioned, oriented, and integrated with pedestrian circulation and waiting areas to provide effective protection from sun and rainfall. Further studies should examine canopy performance across different public building types, climatic conditions, and patterns of visitor use.

Keywords: Entrance canopy design, visitor comfort, public buildings, building entrances, canopy design, thermal comfort, weather protection, solar shading, rainfall protection, entrance design, visitor experience, pedestrian circulation, waiting areas, public architecture, environmental design.