NEUROSCIENCE AND ARCHITECTURE: AESTHETIC TRIAD

The neuroscience of architecture is just beginning to advance knowledge about how and why specific architectural features affect people. Recent years have seen a surge in scientific interest in the neuroscience of architecture (Choo et al., 2017; Coburn et al., 2017; Marchette et al., 2015; Robinson and Pallasmaa, 2015; Vartanian et al., 2013).

The aesthetic triad, consisting of knowledge meaning, sensory-motor experiences, and emotion valuation was developed for neuroaesthetics (Chatterjee and Vartanian 2014, 2016), reformulated for architecture (Coburn et al. 2017). It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and analysing the aesthetic aspects of design. Each component of the triad plays an important role in shaping how people perceive and interact with design objects, spaces, and experiences. By considering knowledge meaning, sensory-motor experiences, and emotion valuation, designers can create designs that not only engage the intellect but also stimulate the senses and evoke emotional responses, ultimately enriching aesthetic experiences.

The sensory-motor system: The sensory-motor dimension of the aesthetic triad focuses on the multisensory aspects of aesthetic perception and the physical interactions between individuals and designed objects or spaces. This dimension encompasses sensory experiences such as sight, touch, sound, and even movement. Design elements such as form, texture, materiality, lighting, and spatial composition engage the senses and elicit physical responses from users.

The brain’s knowledge-meaning: At the core of the aesthetic triad is knowledge meaning, which encompasses the cognitive and intellectual aspects of aesthetic perception.

The emotion valuation refers to the affective dimension of the aesthetic triad, focusing on the emotional responses and subjective perceptions elicited by a design. This dimension encompasses the range of emotional experiences evoked by design elements, including feelings of pleasure, awe, serenity, excitement, or nostalgia.