Date of Submission
Spring 5-12-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Christopher Welty
Abstract
What if the spaces we inhabit are no longer felt, only seen? In contemporary architecture, many buildings are designed for visual impact rather than human experience, often resulting in environments that feel emotionally detached. This thesis asks a central question: have buildings lost their soul? It proposes that atmosphere, understood as the sensory and emotional quality of space, is essential to restoring meaning and connection within architecture.
Drawing from the work of Peter Zumthor, this research explores how architecture can move beyond visual form to engage the body through environmental conditions. The study focuses on light, shadow, and water as primary generators of atmosphere, examining how their interaction shapes perception, movement, and emotional response. Light is explored as a dynamic force that reveals space, creates contrast, and transforms throughout the day. Shadow becomes an active condition that defines depth, frames moments, and allows for stillness and reflection. Water acts as both a reflective and immersive element, amplifying light, introducing motion, and softening spatial boundaries.
Through a series of analytical studies and design explorations, the project investigates how controlled daylight and the presence of water can produce layered, sensory environments. These studies inform the design of a health and wellness spa located in Marietta. The spa is conceived as a sequence of atmospheric experiences, where visitors move through spaces shaped by shifting light conditions, reflections, and moments of immersion. Openings in the architecture allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the building, while water elements extend across interior and exterior spaces, creating continuity and enhancing spatial perception.
Ultimately, this thesis argues that architecture can regain its sense of soul through the careful orchestration of light, shadow, and water. By prioritizing atmosphere over image and experience over form, it demonstrates how these elements can create spaces that are not only seen, but deeply felt.