Environmental Affordances in Designing Child-friendly Residential Complexes: A Conceptual Model of Kids’ Motivation to Play

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Architecture and Urbanism Department, Art University of Isfahan, Iran.

2 Architecture and Urbanism Department, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.

Abstract

Play has a wonderful effect on kids’ development, as a tool for gaining experience. All developmental psychologists have emphasized the importance of childhood, play and appropriate play area. Nevertheless, today in designing residential complexes, less attention has been paid to the kids’ needs, as a one of the most vulnerable groups of the society. Living in such environments has a negative impact on the individual and social health of kids. This paper focused on the effective factors and how they influenced enhancing kids’ motivation to play (3 to 6 years) in residential complexes. The mixed method (Qualitative & Quantitative) was used as a research methodology. The survey was conducted by using the Delphi method. Factor analysis presented six major factors: a) supervision of the environment, b) legibility of child-centered environment, c) natural stimulant factors, d) social interactions (generational- intergenerational), e) vitality of environment, and f) sensory stimulation. Later in the paper, based on the analyses, a linear model was designed. The results showed that "vitality of the environment" and "natural stimulus factors" increased "stimulating the senses". "Natural stimulus factors", "vitality of the environment", "legibility of child-centered environment" and "supervision of the environment" increased "social interactions " and therefore improved kids’ motivation to play in the residential complexes. Furthermore, in order to place greater emphasis on architectural discourse and move closer to the dimension of architectural design, practical examples and design strategies like: playing with natural elements, geometry of space, spatial coherency, direct and indirect visual permeability, and etc. are presented.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Design Thinking
Volume 6, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 233-247

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