In this study, we experimentally evaluated impressions of facility users on existing buildings of N university to clarify the influence of the design of seismic retrofitting braces on their impressions. We conducted the impression evaluation experiment using two methods: in a questionnaire survey, we examined the influence of the presence of antiseismic reinforcement and whether users had received information regarding them on their impression of a building; and in an observation survey, we compared impressions between different arrangements and designs of seismic retrofitting braces.
The questionnaire survey results showed that the presence of antiseismic reinforcement influenced the impression of the building more than knowledge of reinforcement. However, for those who had received information, antiseismic reinforcement influenced their comfort factor regarding building impressions. The observation survey identified negative impressions from windows being blocked and a positive sense of security from strong structural elements. These contradicting factors determine the impression of a building and are important considerations in the design of seismic retrofitting braces.
