Spatial Paradigm of Sentiment

Abstract

How space brings emotional impacts? This question is often answered in ambiguous way. “Vast space creates loneliness and small, cozy space is much more acceptable for human’s psychological well-being”, empirically described by designers. However, this loosely defined relationship has produced unexpected user experience, in which a neuro-architectural framework needs to be involved. This thesis project will be delivered in two parts—a research to set up design framework and a proof-of-concept design prototype on chosen site. The research part of this thesis introduces a new framework to evaluate the relationship between human emotions and architectural space with a focus on spatial sequence. It presents how the reaction of emotional states onto spatial qualities can be respectively and collectively measured through qualitative and quantitative methods. Through the technology of electroencephalography and establishment of virtual environment, we can collect emotional and behavioral data, specifically in relation to arousal of positive emotion and neurocognitive ability to concentrate, from participants immersed in virtual environments that vary in lighting, furniture layouts, and spatial partitioning. The findings will suggest that these criteria draw crucial impacts on emotional states and propose a design project that can implement this framework of space-sentiment paradigm to boost spatial design for architects. The design part of this thesis creates a building prototype for the new space-production relation of work-from-home to rethink spatial adaptability on supporting mood and productivity. The chosen sites will be vacant pier lands along the Boston waterfront, which will be retrofitted as new affordable apartments for home workers.