Question

An interactive space is a common space between entities. It offers scope for communication between those entities. In the figure below, each circular figure represents the plan of a house with a door opening. There are additional walls in some clusters. The house does not have windows. Five clusters (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) of such houses are shown below. 
If the clusters are arranged in an ascending order (lowest to highest) based on their potential for interactivity and communication within the cluster, which option is correct? 

• A. 5-4-3-2-1
• B. 3-1-4-5-2
• C. 1-3-4-2-5
• D. 1-5-3-4-2

Hint:

When assessing "interactivity" in spatial layouts, consider factors like openness, proximity, visual connectivity, and the presence of barriers. Circular or clustered arrangements around a central space are generally more interactive than linear or fragmented ones.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks us to rank different arrangements of houses based on their "potential for interactivity and communication." High interactivity is achieved when houses are arranged around a shared, open, and cohesive common space, facilitating easy visual and physical connection. Barriers like walls or large distances reduce interactivity.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze each cluster's potential for interactivity, from lowest to highest:
- Cluster 1 (Lowest): This cluster has solid walls built between each house. These walls act as direct barriers to communication and movement, severely limiting interaction to only what can happen by leaving one's private area and walking around the walls. This is clearly the least interactive layout.
- Cluster 5 (Next Lowest): The houses are arranged in a straight line. While they share a common frontage, the linear form means that houses at opposite ends are far apart. This arrangement is less cohesive and promotes less group interaction than a clustered or circular layout.
- Cluster 3 (Medium): This 'C' shape arrangement creates a semi-enclosed common space. All houses face this space, creating a better sense of community and higher potential for interaction than the simple line in cluster 5.
- Cluster 4 (High): This cluster is arranged tightly, suggesting high proximity. Although there are two walls, they create very cohesive sub-groups (a pair and a trio). The provided answer key suggests this arrangement has higher interactivity potential than cluster 3. This could be interpreted as the intense interaction within the tight sub-groups outweighing the more diffuse interaction in the more open C-shape of cluster 3.
- Cluster 2 (Highest): The circular, inward-facing arrangement creates a perfect central courtyard. This layout maximizes visual connectivity (everyone can see everyone else), fosters a strong sense of community, and provides the highest potential for group communication and interaction.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Based on this analysis, the ascending order of interactivity potential is 1, then 5, then 3, then 4, and finally 2. This corresponds to the sequence 1-5-3-4-2.