The Art of Experience: Redefining Architectural Experiences through Design
Disciplines
Cognition and Perception | Interior Architecture | Other Architecture
Abstract (300 words maximum)
We are constantly surrounded by and inhabiting the built environment. Architecture has the ability to affect someone’s mood in the most subtle of ways. The spaces we inhabit have an impact whether you are aware of it or not. Peter Zumthor said, "Architecture is a service, a process, a way of building and leaving the world a little better for our presence." The question becomes, “How can we use architectural designs to create impactful experiences for those who are in the space?” My thesis is an exploration of how we design spaces and what strategies can be implemented to influence the viewers’ perception. Humans are shaped by experience therefor; architecture should seek to create an experience that will leave a lasting impact on its population. Through literature review and readings, I have begun to identify three major criteria. These specific aspects are lighting, materials, and the shape of space. Taking these different criteria aspects, case studies and precedent analysis have been diagrammed and broken down in order to determine how to use each of the methods. From each of these precedents, I have been collecting data and creating a catalog of the experiential qualities of space. This catalog forms the basis for conducting a series of experiments where I will develop a test that can be applied to any space. To explore these ideas of perception and experience in space, this test will be conducted on a set of boxes that will each show one aspect of the aforementioned criteria to get feedback on the perception. Spring will consist of a series of projects where I will implement my findings to create spaces that are more than just buildings, but experiential spaces.
Keywords: Phenomenology, Experience, Perception, Atmosphere, Design
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christopher Welty
The Art of Experience: Redefining Architectural Experiences through Design
We are constantly surrounded by and inhabiting the built environment. Architecture has the ability to affect someone’s mood in the most subtle of ways. The spaces we inhabit have an impact whether you are aware of it or not. Peter Zumthor said, "Architecture is a service, a process, a way of building and leaving the world a little better for our presence." The question becomes, “How can we use architectural designs to create impactful experiences for those who are in the space?” My thesis is an exploration of how we design spaces and what strategies can be implemented to influence the viewers’ perception. Humans are shaped by experience therefor; architecture should seek to create an experience that will leave a lasting impact on its population. Through literature review and readings, I have begun to identify three major criteria. These specific aspects are lighting, materials, and the shape of space. Taking these different criteria aspects, case studies and precedent analysis have been diagrammed and broken down in order to determine how to use each of the methods. From each of these precedents, I have been collecting data and creating a catalog of the experiential qualities of space. This catalog forms the basis for conducting a series of experiments where I will develop a test that can be applied to any space. To explore these ideas of perception and experience in space, this test will be conducted on a set of boxes that will each show one aspect of the aforementioned criteria to get feedback on the perception. Spring will consist of a series of projects where I will implement my findings to create spaces that are more than just buildings, but experiential spaces.
Keywords: Phenomenology, Experience, Perception, Atmosphere, Design