Perception and Evaluation of (Modified) Wood by Older Adults from Slovenia and Norway

Abstract

. Many building users prefer wood over other building materials, but it is unclear how modi fi ed wood is perceived compared with unmodi fi ed wood. Additionally, it is unclear which material properties play a role in the general preference for wood, how tactile and tactile – visual perceptions of materials affect user preference for wood, and whether human preference for wood is consistent across countries and cultures with different wood use practices. One hundred older adults from Slovenia and Norway rated and ranked wooden materials (ie handrails) made of either unmodi fi ed or modi fi ed wood and a stainless steel control sample. The materials were rated on a semantic differential scale (capturing sensory and affective attributes) by each participant twice: fi rst, while only touching the materials and then while simultaneously touching and seeing the materials. Finally, each participant ranked the handrails in order of preference. Wooden handrails were generally more preferred than the steel sample. Preference ratings and rankings of modi fi ed wood were comparable to those of unmodi fi ed wood. Results were relatively consistent across both countries. Materials rated as liked were perceived as somewhat less cold, less damp, more usual, less arti fi cial, more expensive, and less unpleasant. The ratings were fairly consistent between the tactile and tactile – visual tasks. In some indoor applications, certain types of modi fi ed wood could be used in place of unmodi fi ed wood while meeting human aesthetical preferences. Speci fi c visual and tactile properties can predict material preference and could be considered in the material design phase. The tactile experience is important in overall material perception and should not be overlooked. These fi ndings seem to be stable across countries with different wood use practices.