S. Carrere et Gw. Evans, LIFE IN AN ISOLATED AND CONFINED ENVIRONMENT - A QUALITATIVE STUDY OFTHE ROLE OF THE DESIGNED ENVIRONMENT, Environment and behavior, 26(6), 1994, pp. 707-741
The present study examines design elements that influence the habitabi
lity of an isolated and confined environment (ICE) of a research stati
on in Antarctica during an austral winter season. Self-report measures
and video records are used to examine the patterns of use of the ICE,
the modifications to the habitat by the winter crew, the residents' p
erceptions of the ICE, and their feedback about design elements that a
re critical to long-term stays in ICEs. Four basis trends in the data
emerged. First, people chose to spend considerable time alone. The abi
lity to regulate the level of social interaction engaged in was a high
ly valued design element. Second, the physical setting of an ICE must
be flexible enough to accommodate a range of work and leisure activiti
es. Rooms at the station that were flexible were preferred by station
residents. Third, personalization of the station to reflect both indiv
idual's as well as the collective team's identity was prevalent. Final
ly, evaluation of the station's environmental qualities remained neutr
al over the course of the winter.