Capturing and Creating Atmospheres: a Sensory Design Approach for Education, Entertainment, and Participation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2724-2463/21220Keywords:
Atmospheres, Sensory Design, Participatory Practices, Immersive Walks, Design/Aesthetics EducationAbstract
Atmospheres, intangible yet perceptible dimensions of spaces, profoundly influence human experience. This article explores how atmospheres can be consciously captured through sensory approaches and translated into tangible experiences using methodologies that combine sensory games, poetic narratives, performances, walks. This approach impacts educational and participatory practices. Case studies: lectures, co design workshops, and sensory concerts demonstrate how sensory practices foster deeper connections between individuals and their environments, transforming spaces into emotionally resonant places, i.e., atmospheres. Contributions from diverse disciplines, such as architecture, philosophy, communication, and the performing arts, provide a multidimensional understanding of atmospheres and the associated feelings. The findings highlight the potential of these approaches to inform inclusive practices, offering innovative tools for pedagogy and de sign of participation.
References
Algargoosh, A., Soleimani, B., O’Modhrain, S. & Navvab, M. (2022). The impact of the acoustic environment on human emotion and experience: A case study of worship spaces. Build Acoustics 2022:1351010X211068850. https://doi.org/10.1177/1351010X211068850
Bachelard, G. (1957). La poetica dello spazio. Dedalo.
Bakker, K. (2023). I suoni segreti della natura. Feltrinelli.
Barbara, A. (2015). Philippe Rahm. Atmosfere Costruite https://www.doppiozero.com/materiali/architettura/philippe-rahm-atmosfere-costruite
Bateson, G. (1979). Mind and Nature. A necessary unit. E.P. Dutton.
Cain. R, Jennings, P. & Poxon, J. (2013). The development and application of the emotional dimensions of a soundscape. Appl Acoust 74:232–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APACOUST.2011.11.006
Ferrucci, P. (2018) La bellezza e l’anima. Oscar Mondadori.
Griffero, T. (2013). Quasi-cose. La realtà dei sentimenti. Bruno Mondadori.
Guidi, C. (2024). Il potere analogico della bellezza, Il potere analfabetico della fantasia, Il potere anacronistico dell’anima. Sete ed.
Kühtz, S. & Parentini, S. (2020). Poeticamente Abitiamo, La poesia per il progetto. Editorial Collection, PiA ed: 2020 Palazzo Fiore, Genzano. PiAedizioni ISBN 9791280918093
Kühtz, S. (2022). Sensoriality, Arts, Poetry, and Sustainability. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A.M., Doni, F., Salvia, A.L. (eds) Handbook of Sustainability Science in the Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3030-68074-9_65-1.
Kuhtz, S. (2023). Quale bellezza? L’avventura dell’invisibile, Aiems, Riflessioni sistemiche n. 28, ISSN 2281-3373, pp. 101-114.
Kühtz, S. & Parentini, S. (2023). Poetica, in A. Pastorello (ed). Selvario. Guida alle parole della selva, pp. 483-489. Mimesis, Milano 2023. ISBN: 9791222304939, DOI10.7413/1234-1234021 available at https://mimesisbooks.com/index.php/mim/catalog/book/67
Kuhtz, S. & Tizi, L. (2023). Abitare poeticamente il Sud. Retoriche e possibilità. Tracce Urbane - Rivista Transdisciplinare di Studi Urbani, Semestrale, ISSN 2532-6562 Vol. 9, n. 13, pp. 266-296, doi.org/10.13133/2532-6562/18441.
Kuhtz, S. (2024). Beyond sight: sensory atmospheres and design, diid disegno industriale industrial design, n. 83, vol XXII, pp. 52-65, ISBN Online979-12-5477-563-9, Online2785-2245, ISSN1594-8528.DOI10.30682/diid8324, ISSN 1594-8528.
Le Breton, B. (2003). Il mondo a piedi. Elogio della marcia. Feltrinelli.
Li, Z. & Kang, J. (2019). Sensitivity analysis of changes in human physiological indicators observed in soundscapes. Landsc Urban Plan 190:103593. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LANDURBPLAN.2019.103593
Melville, H. (1960), The Letters of Herman Melville. Gilman.
Merleau-Ponty, M. (1965). Fenomenologia della percezione, trad. di A. Bonomi. Il Saggiatore.
Naydler, J. (2009). The Restitution of the Ear, in The Future of the Ancient World: Essays on the History of Consciousness, Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, pp. 9–10.
Pallasmaa, J. (1994). An architecture of the seven senses. In S. Holl, J. Pallasmaa, & A. Perez-Gomez (Eds.), Architecture and urbanism: Questions of perception: Phenomenology and architecture (Special issue), July, pp. 27–37.
Schafer, R. M. (1967). Ear Cleaning. BMI Canada.
Schafer, R. M. (1977). The Tuning of the World. Alfred Knopf.
Schmitz, H. (2006). I sentimenti come atmosfere, trad. it. T. Griffero, in T.Griffero-A. Somaini (a cura di), Atmosfere, numero monografico della “Rivista di estetica”, XLVI (3/2006), pp. 25-43.
Van Lengen, K. (2013). http://soundscape.iath.virginia.edu/Van Lengen, K. (2014). Fascinating noise. Urban omnibus, interview with - Jan. 15th
Zumthor, P. (2006). Atmospheres – Architectural Environments – Surrounding Objects. Birkhäuser.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Silvana Kuhtz

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.