사용자경험을 고려한 공중화장실 서비스스케이프 연구

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) As the culture of modern people has improved due to the development of technology and urbanization, the role of public restrooms has expanded. People not only relieve their physiological needs in public restrooms but also reorganize themselves, rest, and prepare to continue their lives. Despite the increasing demand for the improvement of facilities and the environment due to the various roles of public restrooms, they do not meet the needs of actual users and have practical limitations. The purpose of this study is to develop a servicescape to provide public value to public restrooms with a public meaning and to improve the environment from a user-centered perspective. Based on the evaluation framework using the developed servicescape, this study aims to examine currently operating public restrooms and contribute to the progression of public bathrooms into new living and cultural spaces by presenting future directions. (Method) First, the concepts of public restrooms, servicescape, and user experience were established through a literature review of such materials as previous research data and books. Second, a survey was conducted on the user experience of public restrooms, and the results were organized and synthesized. Third, an analysis model was derived by developing a servicescape based on the user experience. Fourth, the current status of public restrooms was evaluated, and future directions were presented by applying the analysis table derived from field work in seven restrooms that had been selected for beautiful restrooms awards. (Results) Results confirmed that user perceptions of public restrooms have changed and that the range of these facilities’ roles in daily life have expanded. Second, for the development of public restroom, detailed space service is required, and it is necessary to prepare design standards for facilities. Therefore, five servicescape characteristics were derived in consideration of the specific needs and experiences of users identified through the survey: aesthetics, value, convenience, accessibility, and comfort. Third, the government should actively pursue environmental protection policies and reaffirm whether the current standards consider users’ actual positions as a result of evaluating and confirming the improvement direction of currently operating public restrooms. (Conclusions) An impressive public restroom gives the user a positive impression of the entire space in which the restroom is located. Creating such facilities is one way to secure a steady stream of visitors and provide space sustainability. Through this study, it is hoped that the importance of public restrooms in consideration of user experience will be recognized; the results could be helpful in the spatial design process.