Sensory Science

Rigorous scientific research has established associations between certain sensory
experiences such as colors, scents, sounds, patterns, and psychological
responses. Relatively insignificant seeming changes in physical environments
can have a dramatic influence on our experience of space. When we are discussing
these factors, and space design in general, it’s important to keep in
mind that space never acts alone in producing a psychological response; it is
always one of a collection of inputs that determine an emotional state.
Aromas have a primordial influence on our psychological experience of
space, and scents have a direct effect on our emotional well-being. In general,
we prefer to be in pleasantly scented spaces, as opposed to unpleasantly
scented ones, and being among those pleasing aromas boosts our mood—so
we think more broadly and behave more positively to our fellow men. People
spending time in a pleasantly scented place feel that they have been there
less time there than people in an unscented space—which has repercussions
for the design of cashregister stations in stores. Although pleasant aromas differ
culturally, generally floral or fruity scents are well received. The olfactory
experience in a space needs to be carefully considered, pleasant aromas of
baking cookies in a commercial venue can boost mood, but exactly the same
smell in a chemotherapy suite at the local hospital can nauseate patients.
Research has shown that certain scents can facilitate particular activities.
For example, research by Bryan Raudenbush and his students at West Virginia’s
Wheeling Jesuit University has determined that smelling peppermint
encourages us on to greater physical exertion and keeps us from feeling tired
while we’re at it, so it is a great smell to use in a gym.12 Other researchers have
found that lemon has roughly the same effect, but on mental activities. Lemon
also soothes agitated mental patients and is associated with fewer reports of
health problems in doctors’ offices, which might reduce hypochondria or cause
needed symptoms to be omitted from discussions. Spiced apple scents lower
the blood pressure of healthy people three to five points, while green apple
decreases feelings of claustrophobia—it’s the scent to use in that tiny powder
room. The aromas of almond, lavender, marjoram, and vanilla are relaxing.
Vanilla is so relaxing that it is used in some MRI suites to calm patients. The
scents of marjoram and lavender also reduce anxiety, along with lime and
cypress. Rosemary and peppermint smells energize us, so that we put in that
little extra effort. These effects continue even after we no longer consciously
perceive a smell.
An increasing number of places are being scent-scaped, with scents being
wafted into areas throughout the day. Scent-scaping has been used in Japanese
offices to beat the 3:00 lull in body rhythms for some time. Muzak now
has a division that provides scents for public spaces.
Finding out about these rigorously researched responses to smell is difficult
in the general press because of the number of often unsubstantiated aromatherapy claims crowding data sources such as the Internet. Searches on
scholar.google.com can reveal some of this information.
Sounds influence us emotionally, just as scents do. Although people
from different national cultures may find different sorts of music pleasant,
our psychological responses to the sounds we hear is consistent. For example,
we all find slow, soft, complex music sad, which makes sense because
when we are sad our vocal cords relax, and that muffles our voice. Sad people
speak softly, just as angry or happy people do the opposite. Fast, loud,
simple music is perceived as joyful, while fast, loud, complex music is seen
as angry. Relatively slow, quiet, nonvocal music reduces reactions to stressful
situations (such as group meetings) but faster music increases alertness
and arousal.
Fast and slow are determined in relation to what is roughly our resting
heartbeat, or 50 to 70 beats per minute (bpm). We find things that pulse at that
rate relaxing. It’s not surprising that sounds with that rhythm calm us, because
when we hear a sound our heart starts to beat in time to it, and 50 to 70 bpm
is a relatively relaxed pulse rate. Not just music with 50 to 70 bpm is calming.
Fountains or mobiles that make noise with the same beat have the same effect
on us. Music with 30 to 50 bpm is very relaxing.
High-pitched music, and noises in general, are happy and playful, while
lower-pitched ones are sad and serious. We find midrange sounds, such as
harps and classical chamber music, calming and higher-frequency sounds
such as violins and voices, energizing.
Since our ears evolved from our skin, it’s not surprising that we have similar
responses to patterns of touch (massage) that we do to sounds. We also find
touching more textured surfaces more energizing than feeling smoother ones
underfoot, for example.
In North America and Europe vision is the most carefully monitored
sensory channel, but not all cultures are as focused on information that they
receive through their eyes. Regardless of national culture, we have consistent
responses to information that we do indeed see. Colors that are less saturated
and more bright, generally light and cool colors, are more relaxing and pleasant,
while more saturated and less bright colors, generally darker or warm
colors, are more invigorating and less pleasant. Colors that are lower in saturation
contain more gray. Maroon is a less-saturated red than fire-engine red.
Although responses to color saturation and brightness are universal, different
national cultures vary in their associations to particular hues.
We feel significantly warmer when we look at warm colors than cool ones,
which should influence color palettes for healthcare facilities, for example.
Monochromic color schemes are more relaxing, unless they are done in
shades of whites and beiges. White/beige monochromes are upsetting to the
general population.
When colors from across the color wheel are combined, the effect is more
energizing than when colors near each other on the color wheel are used together. Colors can also be combined in patterns, and we find complex ones
more energizing than simple ones.
It’s not just the color of walls and surfaces that influences us emotionally;
the color of light does so, as well. Warm white light increases our energy level
as well as improving our mood (see Figure 3.8). People exposed to warm white
light (3000K) reporter a stronger preference for resolving interpersonal conflicts
through collaboration than people exposed to cool white light (4200K). People
take more risks under warm white light than any other light colors, while coolwhite
lighting is more stressful to workers than full-spectrum lighting. When
the colors of light are varied during the course of the day to mimic the natural
light cycle, the well-being and emotional state of workers and patients is
improved (see Figure 3.9). Daylight improves worker performance, retail sales,
and mood, in general. Patients in day-lit rooms require less pain medicine.
When lighting levels are lower, we are less active and speak more softly.
We react to seen objects in predictable ways. Shiny finishes are more
invigorating and matte finishes more relaxing. We find pointy shapes less
pleasant to be around than curvy ones. Spiky shapes overhead can be particularly
unsettling, as can patterns composed of Vs.
Rhythm, symmetry, balance, and harmony in an object or space improve
its aesthetic appeal to members of the general public and are generally relaxing.
The golden ratio is generally pleasing and is so special that one particular
part of the brain is dedicated to perceiving it.
Usually, we prefer to be in spaces that intrigue us but don’t scare us. We
like places that we can understand and that we can find our way in easily—
they should be moderately complex and novel. We prefer that these pleasant
places include elements such as paths that gently curve out of view that lead
us forward and through the space. We have many other consistent responses to
architectural elements, including ceiling height, wall curvature, room configuration,
corner angles, window design, and entryways into a space.