Anticipation in architectural experience: a computational neurophenomenology for architecture?
Zakaria Djebbara, Thomas Parr, Karl Friston
arXiv Preprint Archive November 7, 2020 via arXiv
Summary
Perceptual experience of architecture arises from interactions between the body's sensory and motor systems and the built environment. Actions change perceived surroundings based on expectations shaped by bodily capabilities and architectural features. Affordances—the fit between body structure and movement possibilities in a space—underlie continuous sensory information gathering. This paper takes a first step toward understanding architectural design's role in perceptual experience at a neuronal level, proposing a framework that synthesizes computational neuroscience with architectural phenomenology into a computational neurophenomenology. The framework aims to guide future studies linking architecture and cognitive neuroscience.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Q-bio.nc |
| Key finding | A framework combining computational neuroscience and architectural phenomenology is proposed to study how architectural design influences perceptual experience at a neuronal level. |
Abstract
The perceptual experience of architecture is enacted by the sensory and motor system. When we act, we change the perceived environment according to a set of expectations that depend on our body and the built environment. The continuous process of collecting sensory information is thus based on bodily affordances. Affordances characterize the fit between the physical structure of the body and capacities for movement in the built environment. Since little has been done regarding the role of architectural design in the emergence of perceptual experience on a neuronal level, this paper offers a first step towards the role of architectural design in perceptual experience. An approach to synthesize concepts from computational neuroscience with architectural phenomenology into a computational neurophenomenology is considered. The outcome is a framework under which studies of architecture and cognitive neuroscience can be cast.