The physical environment greatly influences our well-being, learning and collaboration
with other people. Through visual, tactile and form-related means a space communicates
the identity, values, strategies, visions etc. of e.g. a company or educational institution and
suggests various types of behaviour and interaction. Research within the field of
architectural psychology recommends that users of knowledge and learning spaces be
involved in the interior design process so that they can identify with the spatial aesthetic
expressions. But how are decisions made on spatial communication in a given context?
What should these spatial aesthetic expressions be based on? The study of this issue
includes three processes based on Participatory Design workshops. The current paper
describes the aesthetic theories applied in the workshops – Aesthetics as Aisthesis and
Atmosphere – and demonstrates how the need for an alternative theory of aesthetics –
Relational Aesthetics – developed in the course of the workshops. Finally, the processes
have resulted in a proposal for a novel approach to involving users in decisions related to
issues of spatial, aesthetic expression in a given context.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
with other people. Through visual, tactile and form-related means a space communicates
the identity, values, strategies, visions etc. of e.g. a company or educational institution and
suggests various types of behaviour and interaction. Research within the field of
architectural psychology recommends that users of knowledge and learning spaces be
involved in the interior design process so that they can identify with the spatial aesthetic
expressions. But how are decisions made on spatial communication in a given context?
What should these spatial aesthetic expressions be based on? The study of this issue
includes three processes based on Participatory Design workshops. The current paper
describes the aesthetic theories applied in the workshops – Aesthetics as Aisthesis and
Atmosphere – and demonstrates how the need for an alternative theory of aesthetics –
Relational Aesthetics – developed in the course of the workshops. Finally, the processes
have resulted in a proposal for a novel approach to involving users in decisions related to
issues of spatial, aesthetic expression in a given context.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
