Towards a sensory-emotional framework for design and management practices to cultivate a greater sense of connectedness in public environments

This presentation articulates insights from an investigation into the personalisation of experience in the public interior to uncover principles that can contribute to the visitor emotional attachment to place. The research posits that catering for a multiplicity of sensory and emotional needs can foster a greater sense of connectedness and belonging. To support this perspective, insights are synthesised into a sensory-emotional framework for design and management practices to cultivate a diversity of people and activities, individual and collective wellbeing.

The methodology is rooted in the paradigm of embodiment to explore the visitor situated experience of personalisation analysed in two dimensions: personalisation for visitors, the way the interior is designed and managed, and personalisation by visitors, the way they engage with the environment to enact their preferred activities. Personalisation for and personalisation by are treated as complementary and interdependent.

The sensory-emotional framework developed through this research can deepen our understanding of qualitative practices at the intersection of physical space and lived experiences, to contribute to the creation of public environments that are inclusive, welcoming and sustaining but also stimulating, enjoyable and fun, making daily life more rewarding and connected.

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