Affective response to architecture–investigating human reaction to spaces with different geometry

Avishag Shemesh, Ronen Talmon, Ofer Karp, Idan Amir, Moshe Bar, Yasha Jacob Grobman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

A multidisciplinary research was carried out to reach an improved understanding of the connection between the geometry of space and human emotions. The research develops a framework and methodology to empirically examine and measure human reaction to various types of architectural space geometries. It involves two stages of investigations in which participants experience four spaces characterized by different geometries. Their reaction to the spaces was investigated by means of both qualitative and quantitative methods, which involved questionnaires in the first experiment and advanced sensors and data analysis in a second experiment. The experiments, which employ new virtual reality, electroencephalogram and data analysis methods, confirm the developed methodology. In the first stage of the investigation, participants showed different types of responses and preferences towards spaces. Results of the second stage’s experiment showed a difference in our mental reaction to different geometries of space.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)116-125
Number of pages10
JournalArchitectural Science Review
Volume60
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 Mar 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • Architectural space geometry
  • affective response
  • cognitive neuroscience
  • diffusion maps
  • emotions
  • space perception
  • virtual environment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Affective response to architecture–investigating human reaction to spaces with different geometry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this