Why do some spaces feel comforting while others feel unsettling? Architecture is more than just a visual experience; it shapes our emotions, perceptions, and well-being. In The Interior Experience of Architecture: An Emotional Connection between Space and the Body (2022), researcher Keunhye Lee explores how spatial design influences human emotions through sensory engagement and materiality.
Lee’s study highlights that the way we experience space is deeply rooted in our bodily perception. Architecture is not just something we see but something we feel through movement, touch, and sensory interactions. She identifies three fundamental aspects that contribute to emotional engagement with space: bodily stimulation, materiality, and emotional connection. When people interact with a space, they do so not only with their eyes but with their whole body. Bodily stimulation refers to how space encourages movement and interaction. A narrow corridor may create a sense of urgency, while an open plaza invites people to linger. Materiality includes textures, light, sound, and temperature, all of which influence perception. A rough concrete wall feels different from polished wood. For most people, a rough concrete wall feels cool and industrial, often creating a sense of solidity, while polished wood feels warm and smooth, making a space feel more inviting. Just as dim lighting creates a different mood than bright daylight. Dim lighting often feels cozy and intimate, creating a sense of relaxation, while bright daylight feels open and energizing, making a space feel more lively and refreshing for most people.Finally, emotional connection ties space to memory and culture. A familiar scent or architectural detail can evoke nostalgia, while unfamiliar elements might make a space feel distant or impersonal.
Figure 1: Bruder Klaus Field Chapel, own image
Lee’s research draws on architectural case studies to illustrate these principles. Peter Zumthor’s Bruder Klaus Field Chapel is a prime example of how materiality and sensory engagement create an emotional impact. The chapel’s rough concrete walls, shaped by burnt wooden molds, carry a distinct scent that lingers in the space, reinforcing a sense of timelessness and introspection. Small openings in the structure allow light to filter through in a way that changes throughout the day, enhancing the meditative experience. Another example is Zumthor’s Serpentine Pavilion 2011, which guides visitors through darkened corridors into a central, sunlit garden. This transition from shadow to light is not just a spatial movement but an emotional journey, encouraging moments of reflection and calmness.
Figure 2: Bruder Klaus Field Chapel’s Entrance, own image
These insights have profound implications for architectural design. Lee argues that instead of prioritizing purely visual aesthetics, architects should focus on multi-sensory experiences. The choice of materials, textures, and spatial layout should be considered not just for their functional or aesthetic qualities, but for how they engage human perception on a deeper level. A space designed with warm materials, diffused lighting, and organic shapes can create a sense of relaxation, while cold, sterile environments may evoke detachment or unease. Furthermore, movement within a space plays a critical role in shaping experience. The way people transition from one room to another, the openness or enclosure of a space, and the rhythm of architectural elements all influence how a person emotionally connects to their surroundings.
The way we perceive architecture is deeply personal, shaped by our memories, cultural backgrounds, and sensory experiences.Think about the places where you feel most at ease. What makes them inviting? Is it the way light enters, the textures of surfaces, or the atmosphere they create? Becoming aware of these details can change the way you experience architecture. The next time you enter a building, ask yourself: Why does this space feel the way it does?
For more information about this topic, check out the article of Keunhye Lee!
