Space and Human Perception - Exploring Our Reaction To Different Geometries of Spaces
Space and Human Perception - Exploring Our Reaction To Different Geometries of Spaces
Space and Human Perception - Exploring Our Reaction To Different Geometries of Spaces
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1. Introduction
Different researches in the fields of psychology, behavioural studies, E-B
studies, architecture and other fields have tried to define and explain the
emotional impacts space has over a person. These studies show that different
spaces evoke different emotions, yet it is still hard to tell exactly how archi-
tecture induces them. This research integrates conclusions from several dif-
ferent research fields in order to establish a methodology for exploring the
connection between space and human feelings. This may encourage archi-
tects and architecture educators to produce more scientific knowledge for the
field in the future, using tools of computation and simulations. This may en-
hance our capabilities to create more pleasant environments- a primary goal
for designers, architects and urban planners.
This paper presents initial results from an ongoing research, which as-
pires to increase the body of knowledge on the connection between geometry
of space, visual perception and emotions by visual navigation in a virtual en-
vironment, in both qualitative and quantitative methods. The paper starts
with a critical review over recent studies, which indicate towards a connec-
tion between shapes and feelings. It then discusses a 2-stage experiment, the
first part of which examines people’s reaction to various spatial conditions in
a visualization laboratory. We also present the second stage of the research
in which we intend to study the connection between space geometry and
emotions by using a wireless EEG device together with a wireless eye track-
er and emotional engagement measurements (EEM) system.
response. This may explain why people prefer symmetric shapes, as they
contain less information than asymmetric shapes (Garner, 1974).
In addition to the subject of symmetry, there is now evidence that angular
hexagons are less pleasing than round circles (Bar and Neta, 2008). Further-
more, people with low expertize in the fields of design prefer curved over
angular shapes when they are simple (circles and hexagons), while experts
show such curved versus sharp preference bias for the more complex poly-
gons (Silvia and Barona in press, as mentioned by Bar and Neta, 2008).
Reber, Schwarz et al. (2004) also discuss the expertise influence, claiming
that training in arts gives meaning to complex structures which results in an
additional increase in processing ease. Vartanian, Navarrete et al (2013)
conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study that examines
how variation in contour impacts aesthetic judgments and approach-
avoidance decisions. Their results demonstrated that participants were more
likely to judge curvilinear than rectilinear spaces as beautiful.
Observing visual stimuli regarding spatial perception is a complicated
task. These are new methods of observation and a custom-made virtually
built setup that may sustain this task. The availability of more realistic repre-
sentations that involve multiple coordinated sensory modalities offers the
possibility of studying spatial cognition using more natural experimental
conditions (Bhatt, Hölscher et al., 2011). Edelstein et al. (2008) have shown
the ability to reflect a cognitive state of disorientation in a featureless VE
(virtual environment) obtained by a Cave-Cad tool and the use of Electroen-
cephalography (EEG). In addition, Dias, Eloy et al. (2014) claimed that by
electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA) they were able
to objectively discriminate arousal responses related to "positive" or "nega-
tive" emotions, from the neutral condition, on users that were confronted
with architectural spaces in VR.
3. Methodology
In the frame of this research we wish to explore humans’ aesthetic judg-
ments and feelings towards spaces characterised by different geometries.
There is no doubt that properties of space include colour, light, texture, smell
and sound as well, yet in order to simplify the problem and concentrate on a
dominant long debated aspect in the field of architecture, we decided to in-
vestigate the property of geometry at this stage of our examination.
The research is based on two main preliminary hypotheses. The first
states that there is a connection between the properties of space and human
emotions. Positive and negative sensations towards different geometries of
space can be explored in the setting of VE. The second hypothesis is that
A. SHEMESH, M. BAR, AND Y. J. GROBMAN 4
4. Experiment description
4.4. PARTICIPANTS
Two groups of 21 people per group participated in the experiment. The first
group (Group E) contained students (52.3% women) from the fields of archi-
tecture, landscape architecture, interior design and industrial design studies.
The second group included 21 people (33.3% women). This group was con-
sisted of non-experts: people who are not connected to design studies (Group
NE). Participants were asked to mention where they grew up (type of locali-
ty and residence) in order to check possible past experience influence.
Table 1 Table 2
A. SHEMESH, M. BAR, AND Y. J. GROBMAN 8
Table 5 Table 6
The paper presents the results of the first stage of a research that tries to
bridge the gap in our understanding of perceptual parameters in architectural
design (Grobman, 2011). It also presents a framework for the second stage
of the research that will try to validate these initial results using empirical
quantitative methods.
Contrary to the initial assumption, in terms of averaged liking score, non-
experts showed no preference towards symmetrical spaces. Results show, on
the other hand, they were significantly more interested by the Curvy space
than the experts, who showed a tendency to prefer the Sharp space. It also
showed a difference between these two groups in term of their various
thoughts and feelings towards spaces, and their idea on possible uses of the
various types of spaces.
Further research is needed in order to fine-tune these results in relation to
differences in preference within each category of space in order to determine
the relation between the dimensions of the space and human feelings. An-
other important further examination has to do with the level of complexity of
form in the tessellated options and its influence on the results.
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A. SHEMESH, M. BAR, AND Y. J. GROBMAN 10