Mapping of Perception
Mapping of perceptions allows us to understand how people truly experience and feel about a space, which is crucial for creating environments that resonate with human needs. Is a sense-making process during which people map human-made and natural assets and express opinions, ideas, needs, and aspirations about a place, highlighting its critical aspects and potential.
Perceptions shape our emotional and psychological responses to a place, influencing our behavior and interaction. By mapping these perceptions, we can capture a diverse range of opinions, feelings, and observations about a particular location. This helps to identify areas that might be uncomfortable, unsafe, or underutilized and opportunities for enhancing the space.
The mapping occurs during an on-site visit, where perceptions obtained through the five senses are recorded on a schematic map.
SCALE
The dimensions of space influence our emotions and behavior. Studies conducted by Colin Ellard on urban psychology have highlighted how the city environment affects brain function and human behavior. Discussions often focus on the incidence of psychological and neurological disorders in cities and how urban design can mitigate the negative effects of urban life.
Design, from the scale of individual elements to the urban level, can indeed influence how people interact with the urban environment. For this reason, the design of both open and interior spaces must consider aspects such as:
Human proportions: designing with attention to the dimensions and movements of people.
Harmony with the context: ensuring that the scale of buildings is in harmony with surrounding structures and the urban environment, avoiding visual disharmony.
Creating focal points: using variations in scale by incorporating large-scale elements that attract attention and serve as focal points within the space.
Balancing large and small spaces: creating a varied experience by balancing large, open spaces with smaller, more intimate ones.
Using scale to guide movement: designing architectural elements in a way that guides people’s movement through space. Wider, taller corridors may invite movement, while smaller spaces may encourage people to pause and interact. Integrating natural elements: elements like greenery and water enhance psychological well-being and create a more welcoming environment.
Evaluating psychological impact: considering the psychological impact of scale on users. Spaces that are too large can make individuals feel isolated, while spaces that are too small can cause anxiety. Finding a balance is crucial for mental well-being. Promoting social interaction: designing spaces that encourage social interaction through the thoughtful use of scale. Common areas like plazas and courtyards should be large enough to accommodate groups but contained enough to facilitate interaction.
Incorporating variable scale elements: using elements of different scales to add dynamism to spaces. For instance, a monumental staircase can be balanced by smaller, more cozy spaces.
Evaluating and adapting: continuously assessing the impact of scale during the design process through user feedback and field observations. Adjusting the design based on these inputs to enhance the overall experience.
GEOMETRY
The geometry of spaces influences aesthetic preferences and emotional well-being. Neuroscience shows a preference for curved shapes over angular ones, high ceilings that convey a sense of spaciousness, and the perception of enclosure, which can increase stress. Brain activation in response to curved spaces suggests that emotional processing is crucial in how we perceive architectural environments.
Contour
Studies have shown a preference for curved shapes over rectilinear and angular ones, with brain regions related to emotions being more active during the experience of these spaces.
Height
In indoor environments, people generally prefer higher ceilings, which provide a sense of spaciousness and the ability to visually explore a room. Neuroscientific studies show that high ceilings activate brain regions involved in visual-spatial exploration, indicating that people appreciate the cognitive freedom offered by large vertical spaces.
Sense of Enclosure
The perception of enclosure is studied in terms of visual and locomotor permeability and how this influences preferences for specific spaces. Enclosed spaces can increase stress levels, as demonstrated by the activation of brain regions related to threat perception.
MATERIALS
The choice of materials is essential for the psychological and perceptual well-being of users. Tactile, visual and acoustic materials directly influence comfort and safety.
Touch
The texture of materials can stimulate different tactile responses. Materials such as smooth wood, soft fabric or rough stone surfaces can evoke feelings of warmth, comfort or rusticity. Touch can influence comfort and a feeling of security through the use of soft surfaces that generally promote relaxation and calm.
Sight
The colour of materials has a direct impact on emotions and psychological states. For example, warm colours such as red and orange can stimulate and excite, while cool colours such as blue and green can calm and relax.The finish of materials (glossy vs. matte) can influence the perception of space. Glossy surfaces can make a space feel brighter and more open, while matt surfaces can give a feeling of intimacy and security.
Hearing
Materials have different acoustic properties. Soft materials such as carpets and fabrics absorb sound, reducing ambient noise, while hard surfaces such as glass and metal reflect sound, which can increase the noise level. Natural materials The use of natural materials such as wood, stone or greenery can improve psychological well-being. Neuroscientific studies suggest that exposure to natural materials can reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being, mimicking the effect of nature itself. Materials that evoke nature can stimulate a biophilic response, where humans’ innate connection to nature promotes well-being and stress reduction.
ACOUSTIC
The acoustics of spaces have a significant impact on users’ emotional and sensory perception. Neuroscience shows how sound can profoundly influence the experience of an architectural environment. Sound repetition and the synchronization between sound and space can evoke specific emotions, while sound metaphors help connect architecture with auditory perceptions, creating more engaging and sensory-rich environments.
Sound Repetition
The repetition of sounds within a space can create emotional expectations, similar to how the repetition of architectural elements can influence visual perception. For example, the repetition of a tone can induce states of calm or anxiety depending on the context.
Sound-Space Synchronization
The acoustics of a space can be designed to synchronize with the architecture, creating an integrated multisensory experience. Spaces with good synchronization between visual and auditory perception tend to be perceived as more harmonious and comfortable.
Multisensory Interactions
Acoustic perception does not act in isolation but in combination with other senses. Architecture that considers acoustics in relation to visual and tactile aspects can create more complete and engaging sensory experiences, positively influencing the mood and well-being of occupants.
Designing Sound
The acoustic design of spaces can be optimized to evoke specific emotions and moods. For example, environments with soft acoustics and muted sounds can promote relaxation and concentration, while spaces with intense reverberation can stimulate energy and liveliness.
SMELL
Smell is a fundamental element in architectural design, as it contributes to creating sensory-engaging, functional, and memorable environments. Integrating smell into space design can significantly enhance user experience by influencing perception, emotions, memory, and human behavior.
Influence on Spatial Experience
Smell plays a crucial role in the perception of spaces, affecting comfort and well-being. Pleasant odors can make an environment more welcoming, while unpleasant odors can cause discomfort.
Emotional Connection and Memory
Scents have a strong link to emotions and memory, capable of evoking memories and triggering intense emotions. This makes spaces more memorable and can enhance user experience in contexts such as hotels, restaurants, and stores.
Behavior and Decision-Making
Scents influence people’s behavior and decisions. A relaxing fragrance may encourage people to stay longer in an environment, while an unpleasant smell can drive them away quickly.
Identity and Branding
Scents can be used to strengthen brand identity. Many brands use specific fragrances to create distinctive atmospheres that customers associate with their brand.
Well-Being and Health
Smell can impact physical and mental well-being. Natural odors, like those from plants, can have calming effects and reduce stress, contributing to creating healthy and supportive environments for healing and learning.
Cultural and Social
Considerations Olfactory perceptions vary culturally and influence social interactions. Space design must account for different sensitivities to odors to create inclusive and respectful environments.
RHYTHM
Rhythm is perceived through the body and influenced by mirror neurons, which facilitate understanding and empathy. Neuro-corporeal synchronization creates a shared rhythm in social interactions. Experimental aesthetics demonstrate how art stimulates sensorimotor responses, involving the entire body-mind system. Rhythm modulates aesthetic and social experience, integrating mental states, physical experiences, and social behavior. Understanding the role of the body in perceiving and reacting to a space is thus crucial.
For instance, art elicits sensorimotor stimuli and reactions in observers. The perception of art is not merely a visual or cognitive process but involves the whole body-mind system in a form of sensorimotor resonance. Art, and more broadly specific forms or colors, can be perceived not only through the eyes but with the entire body. This engagement with the art piece enhances the sense of well-being among its viewers. Rhythm is understood as a quality of perceived time through the body, modulating and influencing our aesthetic, social, and cognitive experiences. The rhythmic quality of an environment can affect how people interact with and experience that space, creating a more immersive and engaging environment. When rhythm is present, it aligns physical movement and perception with the environment, fostering a deeper connection and enhancing the overall experience.
The interaction between rhythm and the body highlights the importance of integrating these elements into design to enhance user experience. By considering how rhythm affects physical and emotional responses, designers can create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also resonant on a sensory level, promoting a more profound and satisfying interaction with the environment.
LIGHT
Natural light is essential for psychological well-being, regulating circadian rhythms, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive performance. Light can also affect spatial perception and evoke emotional responses.
Well-being Production
Light stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, improving mood and motivation.
Stress Reduction
Exposure to natural light lowers cortisol levels, contributing to greater relaxation.
Promotion of Social Interactions
Well-lit spaces encourage social interaction and foster a sense of community.
Principles of neuroscience can be applied to building design to enhance occupants’ well-being, particularly through the concept of “neuroarchitecture,” an interdisciplinary field that studies how physical environments impact the human brain. It has suggested the use of large windows and skylights to maximize natural light entry, as well as reflective materials to distribute light more evenly. Strategies for integrating natural light into buildings include:
- Using large and well-positioned windows to maximize natural light.
- Choosing materials that reflect light to better illuminate interior spaces.
- Creating dynamic lighting that changes throughout the day to mimic natural sunlight variations.
- Concentrating social and meeting spaces in the brighter areas to encourage interaction and well-being.
- Using artificial lights that mimic natural light and considering full-spectrum lamps.
COLOR
Color has a profound impact on perception, emotions, and behavior. The theory of color has evolved over time, influencing art and architecture. The mindful use of color can enhance mood, productivity, and well-being in built environments. Modern technologies enable real-time manipulation of colors, affecting environments in innovative ways.
Recent neuroscientific studies have begun to uncover the brain mechanisms involved in color perception and emotional response. For example, Zeki and Marini (1998) used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify brain areas involved in color processing, providing new insights into the neural basis of color perception.
The use of color in architecture has a millennia-old history, reflecting not only aesthetic considerations but also functional and symbolic ones. In the 1990s, studies on the psychophysiological effects of color in built environments provided guidelines for color use in hospitals, schools, and other public spaces. This led to the concept of “chromotherapy architecture,” developed by Galen Minah (2001), which explores how colors can be used to promote well-being and healing in healthcare environments.
Contemporary research on color in psychology and architecture continues to expand, benefiting from new technologies and interdisciplinary approaches. Research on the effects of color in spaces involves issues such as sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings, considering aspects like albedo and thermal comfort, as well as the role of color in inclusive design and accessibility for individuals with visual disabilities or neurodivergences.
SOMATOSENSORY SYSTEM
The somatosensory system, which allows us to perceive touch, pressure, temperature, and pain through sensory fibers located in varying quantities throughout the body, is strongly influenced by the external environment. In architectural experience, the somatosensory system engages in several aspects:
Tactility and Materials
The tactile experience is fundamental for understanding and appreciating spaces. The choice of materials and surface textures can evoke emotional responses and create sensory connections with the built environment.
Proprioception and Spatial Navigation
Proprioception, or the ability to recognize the position and movement of one’s body in space without visual aid, inevitably influences our ability to navigate and comprehend architectural spaces. Architects like Steven Holl have explored how variations in scale, form, and movement through space can stimulate proprioceptive awareness and enrich the architectural experience (Holl, 2006).
Thermal Comfort
Temperature perception is a key aspect of the somatosensory system and is crucial for comfort in built environments. Recent research on bioclimatic design and adaptive comfort has highlighted the importance of considering individual somatosensory responses in the design of climate control systems (de Dear & Brager, 1998).
Innovative Applications
Understanding the somatosensory system is leading to exciting innovations in architecture and design, such as interactive surfaces, multisensory design, and therapeutic environments.
MATOSENSORY SYSTEM
Our experience of architectural spaces is deeply influenced by complex sensory processes that go beyond mere vision. This chapter explores the crucial role of perception, proprioception, and interoception in our interaction with the built environment, highlighting how these processes influence the psychology of space and inform innovative architectural practices.
Perception: The Bridge Between Environment and Cognition
Perception is the process through which we interpret and give meaning to sensory stimuli from the environment. In architecture, perception plays a fundamental role in how we understand and interact with spaces. When we talk about perception, we refer to the processing—more or less conscious—of a sensation. Vision is the predominant sense in humans, which is why we will discuss visual perception and architecture. Multisensory perception is an increasingly interesting topic for modern scholars/researchers who seek to discover how various sensations are integrated to create a complex experience. While architecture has traditionally focused on the visual aspect, there is growing awareness of the importance of multisensory perception. Pallasmaa (2005) emphasized how architectural experience involves all the senses, from the texture of surfaces to the acoustics of spaces. Malnar and Vodvarka (2004) proposed a “sensory design” approach that consciously integrates stimuli for all the senses into architectural design, creating richer and more engaging environments.
Proprioception: The Sense of the Body in Space
Proprioception, the sense of the body’s position and movement in space, is fundamental to our navigation and interaction with the built environment. Proprioception and Architectural Scale: The perception of scale in architecture is intrinsically linked to proprioception. Architects like Le Corbusier explored this concept through the “Modulor,” a system of proportions based on human body measurements (Cohen, 2014). Recent research has demonstrated how manipulating architectural scale can influence behavior and emotions. For example, Meyers-Levy and Zhu (2007) found that higher ceilings promote more abstract and creative thinking, while lower ceilings encourage concrete and detailed thought. Proprioception and Movement: Le Corbusier’s concept of “promenade architecturale” emphasizes the importance of movement through space for architectural experience. This approach leverages proprioception to create dynamic and engaging spatial sequences (Samuel, 2010). Neuroscientists like Moshe Bar and Maital Neta (2006) have studied how the perception of curved vs. angular forms in architecture can influence emotional and behavioral responses, with implications for the design of spaces that promote well-being.
Interoception: The Internal Sense of Architecture
Interoception, the perception of the body’s internal states, is emerging as a crucial factor in our experience of built environments.
Thermal Comfort and Interoception: The perception of temperature, mediated in part by interoception, is fundamental to comfort in architectural spaces. The adaptive comfort model proposed by de Dear and Brager (1998) recognizes the active role of occupants in regulating their thermal comfort, highlighting the importance of interoception in the design of climate control systems.
Interoception and Well-being: Recent studies have linked greater interoceptive awareness to improved psychological well-being (Critchley and Garfinkel, 2017). This has implications for the design of spaces that support practices like meditation and mindfulness, increasingly integrated into work and healthcare environments. A deep understanding of perception, proprioception and interoception offers new perspectives for creating architecture that not only meets functional and aesthetic needs but also resonates deeply with our sensory and cognitive processes. This knowledge paves the way for more holistic and human-centered design, considering the architectural experience as a complex dialogue between body, mind, and the built environment. The challenge for the future will be to translate this knowledge into concrete design practices, creating spaces that we not only see and touch but also “feel” in a deeper and more meaningful way. The architecture of the future can thus aspire not only to host our activities but also to nurture our psychophysical well-being in increasingly sophisticated and personalized ways. The integration of perception, proprioception, and interoception in architectural design is leading to innovative approaches. Emerging technologies allow for the creation of environments that respond in real-time to the physiological states of occupants. For example, the “ExoBuilding” project by Schnädelbach et al. (2012) explores how buildings can adapt to the respiratory rhythms of occupants, creating an interoceptive link between body and architecture.