Journal of Spatial Futures

Journal of Spatial Futures

Blog Article

Abstraction of Colorful Light

Extended Reality Architecture: Sensory Cross-Talk

User Experience

Do you design architecture by targeting the five classical senses: visual, aural, haptic, olfactory, and taste? Furthermore, do you treat these modalities as sensory channels that exist independent of one another, like wires that never cross-talk?

In one of my latest research case study projects, I explore how architectural design can leverage the visual sense, by converging it with the haptic sense. Within this research project, I ask: How can architecture do more to communicate through each sensory channel?

For example: How can architectural design invite visual touch, aural touch, and even olfactory touch?

This line of questioning leads to what I call “Extended Reality (XR) Architecture”, that communicates even more sensory information through each perceptual channel. You may ask: Why is this important?

Imagine a nature scene. Better yet, look outside through a window. This is what I was doing, when a university professor asked me: “Have you ever wondered how you can infer the temperature outside while being inside?” I began to wonder: What cues do nature’s atmospheres reveal that signal aspects like temperature through only the visual sense?

In my design research project, I create new cross-talking experiences that fuse the visual with the haptic. I am devising ways for architecture to communicate more within the visual by extending the perception of color, location, size, and motion, to include more detailed aspects of temperature, texture, pressure, and softness. In this way, architects can create more personalized narratives to better meet occupant needs and goals.

Now, I invite you to uncover how your architectural designs can do more to communicate through each sensory modality. Can your designs for the visual, aural, haptic, olfactory, and even taste communicate with occupants on a more nuanced level? Start to discover what architectural design can do by thinking deeply about sensory cross-talk.

NEXT STEP


JOIN OVER 6200+ SUBSCRIBERS OF:


DESIGN FUTURECAST


Plus, get the Sensory Design Guide

On the 24 Laws of Architectural Perception


SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE


Join DESIGN FUTURECAST to get special VIP Access to Maria Lorena Lehman's design guide, podcast, and newsletter including news of her latest art and design works, book publications, creative design processes, new inspirations, teaching resources, and upcoming exhibitions.


All delivered directly to your email inbox.

NEXT STEP


JOIN OVER 6200+ SUBSCRIBERS OF:


DESIGN FUTURECAST


Plus, get the

Sensory Design Guide

On the 24 Laws of Architectural Perception


SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE


Join DESIGN FUTURECAST to get special VIP Access to Maria Lorena Lehman's design guide, podcast, and newsletter including news of her latest art and design works, book publications, creative design processes, new inspirations, teaching resources, and upcoming exhibitions.


All delivered directly to your email inbox.

Advisory

Unlock world-class design insight, strategy, and refinement through personalized advisory offerings that help architects, designers, and futurists elevate their work into iconic, future-shaping legacies.
Rotating Quantum Key
Futuristic Portal Image

Advisory

Unlock world-class design insight, strategy, and refinement through personalized advisory offerings that help architects, designers, and futurists elevate their work into iconic, future-shaping legacies.
Rotating Quantum Key
Futuristic Portal Image

Advisory

Unlock world-class design insight, strategy, and refinement through personalized advisory offerings that help architects, designers, and futurists elevate their work into iconic, future-shaping legacies.
Rotating Quantum Key
Futuristic Portal Image