DESIGNING CULTURAL CENTERS FOR VISITOR EXPERIENCE: A PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Visitor experience in cultural centers is influenced not just by the exhibits on display, but by the way architectural spaces are crafted to orient, engage, and mentally refresh individuals. Orientation strategies—such as spatial hierarchies and sensory cues—play a crucial role in shaping how visitors interact with the built environment, interpret cultural stories, and find their way through unfamiliar settings. This paper explores how environmental psychology and spatial design contribute to improved visitor orientation and enriched experiential quality within cultural centers. Centering on the proposed Ile-Ife Cultural Center in Nigeria as a primary case study, the article draws on global research, comparative examples, and theories of environmental behavior to propose a framework for orientation design that is both culturally grounded and psychologically attuned. The findings highlight the importance of cognitive mapping, emotional anchors, symbolic elements, and spatial storytelling in creating cultural spaces that are memorable, inclusive, and easy to navigate