Featured Image Takeaway Design Strategy:

Think of exterior and interior as being layered in both plan and section. An exterior can become and interior in multiple dimensions – and this can give your work newfound beauty as well as uniqueness. Also, rethink boundary as a technique that can be utilized from many angles. Think texture, filter, form, plan, section, surface and so on. Then, notice what happens to the space. Does it shelter and protect? Does it expose one to the public? Or does it create community? Think about the relationships within your architectural design.

To Apply This Strategy, Ask Yourself:

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: drp | Flickr

Smells can make or break a space.

Odor is actually a major reason why people complain about an indoor environment, yet nobody likes to talk about it much when it comes to building design. Smells within a building can either be good, bad or simply neutral. Plus, after being in a space for a longer time, you may actually stop smelling a particular odor which was pungent when you first came in.

So, what’s all the hype about? How can you design for someone’s sense of smell — particularly when everyone interprets smells differently?

I think attention needs to be paid to the institution-type of your building and what functions go on there. Yes, you will have to design appropriately in terms of choosing the right building materials, (after all, these have individual smells themselves) but what about the functions that go on within a particular space?

We all know that a gym smells different from an office which can smell different from a classroom.

THE OLFACTORY SENSE

The key is to think about the olfactory sense (smell) while you design. Think of ventilation, temperature, humidity, building materials and other products that can help to prevent unpopular smells. (1)

When choosing an interior building material, “visualize” how that might feel for your occupants entering your space. Will the scent of a particular kind of wood add anything to your design? Will the scent of certain plastics or textiles take away from your design?

Also, don’t forget health. Your occupants may be susceptible to allergic reactions. (1)

Our sense of smell is a very important part of how we all perceive. Don’t take it for granted. Think consciously about how to bring the olfactory sense into your designed architectural experience.

(1) Odor and Odor Thresholds. Aerias.org.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Both exterior and interior design elements of a building have the power to influence occupants, and for retail environments those occupants are potential consumers. The goal for most retail owners is to not only make sales during first time visits, but to encourage return visits so consumers become loyal customers.

THE CONSUMER’S DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Explained in the video below is some insightful information about how our human brain center works. It is useful to know that this region of the brain helps us to collect evidence before we make a decision, but did you know that there is another brain region that expresses confidence and/or awareness of that decision?

Just imagine how this might impact your building occupants, especially those that are engaging in consumer behavior.

One sure-fire way to influence customer behavior is to really understand what goes on during the decision making process. In knowing this, your designs can help to sway behavior by introducing elements at just the right time in an occupant’s experience.

Yes, consumer’s must gather evidence that goes into their behavior (whether to buy or not to buy), but much of this evidence can be collected while within a store — if a product is good and presented in just the right way.

THE POWER OF SUGGESTION

The scientist in the following video explains that people tend to underestimate their own confidence in a decision. Sometimes, people have made their decision, but are not yet fully aware of it.

Thus, enters the power of architecture and interior design…

Design can help occupants both gather evidence leading up to their decision and help them become aware of their decision. These are two critical points in time where design can really have an impact.

For you, as a designer, it is important to understand at what moments your occupants will need your design to help them become aware of their decisions. Then, you need to deconstruct why they should make a particular decision, how you can make their decision “stick”, and at what points in time you will “interrupt” their routine journey with a “just-in-time” approach that will help to clarify their choices.

The key is to understand ongoing trends and then “speak” to them, deliberately, through your design.

VIDEO: YOUR BRAIN DECIDED WITHOUT TELLING YOU

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: marie-ll | Flickr

Have you ever wondered what effects optical illusion can have on architecture?

Well, there are some simple and specific things designers can do to alter the perception of interior spaces.

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS THAT CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION

Things like color, lighting, interior element placement, integrated (horizontal or vertical) lines and even mirrors can have a huge impact on the size, proportion and mood of a space. I came across the article entitled Interior Design Optical Illusions (1) where specifics are explained about how to manipulate color, style, lighting and mirrors into the design of a room to actually change its perceived qualities.

It is interesting that such changes can alter interior spaces subtly or boldly, depending on how you design them into the space.

CONTROLLING HOW A ROOM FEELS

Over time, occupants often want to change a room to accommodate new functional requirements. It is nice to know that there are ways to do this — “gain” square footage or “perceive” different moods.

With understanding into how the human visual system works, designers can create a great variety of different room feels. You will be able to truly achieve great effects (for both interior and exterior spaces) by combining your knowledge of perception with your knowledge of design.

To learn more, you should read this article that I wrote about the merger between neuroaesthetics and architectural design: Understanding Beauty in Architecture: Guiding Neuroaesthetics

(1) Interior Design Optical Illusions. Womanknows.com. August 5, 2009.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman