Presence in architecture: materializing the stimuli

Abstract

The concept of "presence" is gaining increasing relevance in architecture, particularly since its consideration by Peter Zumthor in Atmospheres (2006). This article examines the elusive concept from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, aiming to explore its potential as a design tool. After reviewing its definition and applications across various disciplines, the discussion delves into its relationship with human emotions, employing models such as Robert Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions and Antonio Damasio’s theory of emotionally competent stimuli. The text addresses the creation of spaces capable of evoking emotions, emphasizing the interaction between architectural stimuli and personal experience. It also explores the impossibility of separating "presence" from cultural and subjective connotations, highlighting the need to understand how architectural attributes can materialize emotional stimuli. Finally, it is proposed that studying "presence" as a stimulus offers a design strategy that is conscious of its emotional impact and its ability to shape the user experience.