Architecting Human Emotions Through Architecting Spaces: A Single-Case Experimental Pilot Study

Abstract

The relationship between the built environment and human psychological well-being has been widely acknowledged within the fields of architecture, environmental psychology, and neuroscience. Extensive research has demonstrated that spatial characteristics, including sensory stimuli, spatial configuration, natural elements, and environmental conditions, can significantly influence human emotional states, cognitive responses, and behavioural patterns. In recent years, concerns regarding mental health have intensified, with depression projected to become one of the leading global health challenges by 2030. This growing concern has been associated, among other factors, with the increasing duration of time individuals spend within indoor environments, highlighting the necessity of designing spaces that actively support emotional health and human well-being.

In response to this emerging challenge, the concept of “reconnecting architecture with emotions” has gained prominence as an interdisciplinary approach that seeks to investigate how architectural spaces can foster positive emotional experiences and improve quality of life. This study adopts a single-case experimental design (SCED) methodology to examine the relationship between environmental exposure, human emotional responses, and underlying neural activity. The research investigates how variations in architectural environments, particularly those incorporating different water features and sensory conditions, influence an individual's psychological and physiological reactions.

Electroencephalography (EEG) measurements were employed as an objective neuroscientific tool to assess variations in brain neural activity during exposure to different spatial settings. The collected data were analysed to identify patterns of neurological responses associated with changes in environmental conditions. The findings indicate significant variations in both emotional responses and neural activity across different environmental scenarios, suggesting that architectural spaces are capable of generating distinct psychological and physiological effects.

This research contributes to the growing field of evidence-based design by providing empirical insights into the interaction between architecture, neuroscience, and human emotions. The study highlights the potential of emotionally responsive architecture as a pathway towards creating healthier, more restorative, and human-centred environments that promote psychological well-being and enhance the overall quality of human experiences within built spaces.