Lean-Ability and Sit-Ability: A Study of Users’ Adaptive Behavior in the Gazebo Space of a Semi-Open Restaurant

Abstract

Comfort is a crucial aspect in restaurant interior design, particularly in floor-seating areas of semi-open restaurants that rely on the flexibility of user interaction with spatial elements. This study aims to evaluate lean-ability and sit-ability as forms of adaptive affordance in the gazebo (saung) zone, by examining user behavior during group dining activities. The methods employed include visual observation and brief interviews with 15 respondents who directly interacted with interior elements such as the floor, table, railing, and pillars. The findings reveal those variations in sitting postures—such as reclining, cross-legged sitting, and semi-lying positions—as well as the habit of leaning on surrounding elements, are influenced by users’ physical conditions, spontaneous comfort, and social dynamics within the group. These results emphasize the importance of considering actual affordances in designing adaptive dining spaces that support users’ comfort and behavior.