Architecture for the Senses- an Introduction

SYNOPSIS Dissertation 2014-2015

ARCHITETCURE FOR THE SENSES

Submitted To:

Submitted By:

Dr. Kiran P. Shinde

Suruchi Sharma

Ar. Soma Mishra

Introduction : Architecture, is an essential part of our lives. We walk in it, on it, through it, among its specimens and we experience it every day. Experiencing a space, we may think is a visual errand, and presently is becoming one. As Juhani Pallasmaa states: “ Space, Matter and Scale are equally measured by Eyes, Ears, Nose, Skin, Tongue, Skeleton and Muscles.” When we walk, each stride measures our movement, when we speak, we hear our own voice reflect back to us, when we see, we get aware of what our skin can feel and what our ears hear. The bottom line is, no sense carries its work out individually, all are dependent on each other. When we enter a space, may it be any kind, residential, commercial, educational et cetera, not just our vision works, but all of our senses are stimulated by the environment. The eyes see, nose smells and picks on any peculiar odour. The ears hear, mouth tastes and skin itches to touch surfaces. We do not realize using all the senses, and while the sub conscious mind keeps all this information stored, the realization of the space being closely interpreted dawns in us when we have to remember that particular space and we use all of that information. Like- “I remember that Hospital smell” or “yes that place had bells which were ringing somewhere at a distance”. But this distant memory is sub conscious. This interpretation of space through the senses is not just for the vision impaired and hearing impaired, each and every person uses their senses, realization is what is needed. The aim of this dissertation is to study ways in which Architecture can be Interpreted by people, weather impaired or not, using all of their senses, i.e. How architecture can be explored better using the teamwork of our five senses and in turn, how Architecture can help stimulate the sub conscious senses.

Aim:

The Aim is to study how architecture can be helpful in sti mulating the senses for a better experience of interpreting a space. Objectives:

1. To study the basic sensory systems as: 

Haptic System- The sense of touch

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Tactic System 

Vision

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Hearing

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Sense of smell

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Taste

2. How architectural design for the vision and hearing impaired is practiced presently and how can it be enhanced. Scope:

Sensory Design is usually related to the people who are vision and hearing impaired. But we, who can see, do we really see? Being sighted does not ensure sensory use consciously.

Architecture as an art form can change this negligence. Our reliance on vision is significantly dominant and the involvement of the rest of the senses can enhance the experience altogether.

The scope of this dissertation is to better understand sensory design by observing works of architects like Chris Downey, being blind himself, designs for the vision impaired as well as the sighted as well, Steven Holl, Glenn Murcutt who work on spaces with a holistic approach towards sensory experience. Limitation:

1. Study of Haptic and Tactic Sensory System. 2. Study of design for the impaired. 3. Studying the works of architects based on each of the sensory systems and their analysis Methodology:

1. Selction of topic 2. Detailed synopsis 3. Data collection 4. Literature and live case studies 5. Submission of research paper