With the changing consumer behaviour and the diversification of functions in and around malls, the execution of architectural elements in malls should be re-evaluated. This research focuses on current user behaviour and how it is affected by architectural elements. Therefore, the main research question is: What is the influence of architectural elements of a mall on its users? Literary research on environmental behaviour forms the basis for the observational study, in which the behaviour of users of malls is observed and linked to the characteristics of the architectural elements. It has been concluded that characteristics of architectural elements of a mall can encourage certain behaviour, such as where people tend to go and at which speed. This information can be used to increase footfall in certain areas, which can be beneficial for certain shops or the design of a mall in general.

In this thesis, the reasons for designers to settle in Philips heritage in Eindhoven is discussed. The question is twofold, as it aims to discover why designers settled in Eindhoven on the one hand and why they then decided to move into the former Philips buildings on the other. The answer is that it was a combination of circumstances that drove the designers to the city, but due to Eindhoven’s spirit as city of makers, it was always bound to happen. The reason for the designers to move into Philips buildings, is that many of these buildings were designer as a daylight factory, a typology which will be further elaborated on.