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  • Essay / Multisensory Architecture

    From the beginning, architectures have been a means of housing a human function or activity. As such, the design was primarily guided by principles such as form follows function. Lately, architecture has been driven by the need to address the visual, with architect Frank Gehry (2014) stating that form follows what he wants. Architects have begun to neglect the physical, emotional and psychological connections users have with a space. Critics argue that contemporary architecture has lost respect for humanity or anything else, driven by aesthetics and catering only to the eye. The multi-sensory aspect of the design was lost, becoming minimalist with white walls and smooth finishes. This has reduced the level of user experience, as it is through the body that one perceives, engages and appreciates architectural spaces. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayA sound designer at BMW (Emar Vegt, 2013), explains how the sound of a door closing is so important in the design of their cars because it affects their sales, being one of the first product experiences that a potential customer experiences in a showroom. A potential customer is allowed to open the door and sit inside the car. He then starts the car and is again impressed by the sound of the engine. Sound is therefore one of the most important design aspects in the automotive sector. The concept also applies to other products. In architecture and other design disciplines, the sense of sight is widely used to convey understanding and appreciation of a design. Designers neglect other senses and only strive to satisfy the visual aspect. However, the design must satisfy the user of the space not only aesthetically, but also provide a space where they can connect with the building with their whole being. Dischinger, 2006, noted that instead of completely eliminating (or filtering out) sensory experiences, architects appear to develop a systematic bias toward vision. What about the other four senses: touch, hearing, smell and why not taste? Aren't there design methods adapted to these other senses to produce a complete design that meets all of the users' senses? Architect Alvar Aalto commented on the architecture stating that a piece of furniture commonly used by an inhabitant should not cause discomfort to the occupant in the weather conditions of the space due to glare, conductivity thermal, sound absorption, reflection and tactile sensation. Its architecture engaged all the senses, inviting the user to touch the materials, creating intimacy and warmth through construction techniques, materials and features. It is important to understand that architecture is more than materials and shapes, but deals with the human aspect, taking into account their feelings, their environment. , space and the interactions between them. Buildings and spaces do not have to be dead spaces or shells for living, working and playing, but they have the potential to be rich sources of stimuli affecting the bodies and minds of users. We hope that by providing multi-sensory experiences in architecture, the human experience inside these spaces will be greatly enhanced. Architects must design spaces in which users' senses will be engaged, shaping the perception of space and the emotional connection with buildings for each user.