SPATIAL IMPACT OF DESIGN ELEMENTS ON HUMAN SENSES -A CASE ANALYSIS OF COFFEE SHOPS

Abstract

A spatial experience holistically intertwines with the users, when the environment responds to their needs with such harmony, that users thrive not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Such an environment in perfect synergy manifests through relationships between its elements. These elements or parts of environment come together to provide with a transformational user experience. Architects over time, have started building spaces that appeal only to eyes and the other senses are neglected. The purpose of architecture is to look out for the human activity needs. It creates a connection between human senses and the space, transforming emotion and perception. The inclusion of other senses in the design process can help in creating a habitable and comfortable environment for all. In order to understand how a person behaves in a certain space and how the senses are impacting that behaviour, previous studies and researches on the five senses have been thoroughly studied. For the purpose of survey, coffee shops of different brands located in the same region have been chosen. This article delves into how the senses and technology can work together and how adaptive sensory environments can go beyond short-term comfort needs to ultimate fulfilment of body and soul. The research paper aims to understand the correlation between the human senses and the activities in a coffee shop with reference to the impact of design elements. In order to understand the five senses and their impact on human behaviour, research papers on human psychology have been studied. Further, previous researches on human senses and their relationship with architecture and its elements have been analysed. Through primary and secondary case studies, tools and techniques to carry out the survey were identified. This also helped to identify the problems and practical challenges that may arise during the survey. With the help of pilot survey conducted, an elaborate questionnaire was formulated. For the survey, structured in-depth interviews, location mapping, photo documentation, sensory mapping, focused observations were few of the methods used for data collection. The design elements being most/least preferred in the coffee shops have been listed, focusing on why those elements are degrading the overall experience of the coffee shop. Through co-relational research, this vast data has been used to draw conclusions and do a cross comparison of the coffee shops.