It is possible to perceive and describe the term ‘space’ in several ways. As Kubba (2003:130) has put it, ‘space is the distance, interval or area between, around or within things and is either two or three-dimentional’. There exist three basic kinds of space: flat space, perceptual space and actual space. Space can be a place which is limited by certain surfaces or planes. These planes are walls, floors, ceilings that together with decoration and equipment create an interior, which is the architectonic and artistic formation of the space.
Space can also be perceived as an opposite to dimension and is called perceptual or implied space. This kind of space can be created by such means as colour, shadows, lines, perspective and overlapping. (Kubba 2003).
Different people perceive the artistic means of design differently. Šusts (1979:9) affirms that ‘such subjective perception factors have got regular power only in wider society’. It means that it is possible to group and analyse the peculiarities of the space perception in various social groups (children of certain age, students, representatives of certain professions and others) according to their way of thinking and interests and to find the common trend in providing the most appropriate interior for them.
The most essential feature of the modern public premises, including school premises, is to transform the dull, sterile space into more personal area where there is spent comparatively longer time. (Meikulāne, Zaiceva 2008). Nowadays the shared areas are multi-functional, possible to transform, according to the speed of life and implied forms of work – cooperation, team/group work. At the same time an opposite tendency has been observed – ‘a perfectly considered planning where each object has got its static place’ (Meikulāne, Zaiceva 2008:43), broad working surface and free movement zone.
Besides the mentioned factors that have evolved as a result of the experience of certain individuals, there can be mentioned others not characteristic to all people. …
