Emotions in Architecture: The Role of Interior and Exterior Built Environments in Shaping Human Emotions Across Age Groups

Abstract

When we think of Architecture, it is not merely about creating physical space but it is the composition of human emotional experience. This paper explores how interior and exterior architectural environments influence human emotions across different age groups. Drawing from environmental psychology theories such as the Pleasure–Arousal–Dominance (PAD) model, Stress Recovery Theory (SRT), and Attention Restoration Theory (ART), this research synthesises relationships between spatial design elements and emotional responses. These theories establish that the built environment can influence emotional states by affecting levels of pleasure, arousal, stress recovery, and cognitive restoration, thereby shaping human behaviour and psychological wellbeing. Previous research in environmental psychology and neuroscience indicates that environmental stimuli are processed through sensory perception and cognitive assessment, which then produce measurable emotional and physiological responses such as stress reduction, relaxation, excitement, or anxiety. The paper also incorporates findings from studies on spatial perception and physiological responses, which show that elements such as light intensity, enclosure, ceiling height, colour, and sound levels can influence heart rate, skin and brain activity, demonstrating a measurable relationship between architecture and emotional states.

The study integrates key architectural variables like lighting, spatial arrangement and composition, materiality, biophilic elements, and urban green spaces with psychological concepts such as affect, perception, and cognitive impact. It further examines how emotional responses differ among children, adolescents, adults, and older persons due to variations in perception, independence, and environmental sensitivity. Children tend to respond more strongly to stimulation, colour, and spatial openness, while adults often prioritize functionality and comfort. Elderly users are more sensitive to safety, accessibility, environmental comfort, and familiarity. These differences highlight the importance of age-responsive and user-centered architectural design that considers psychological and emotional needs across the human lifespan.

A conceptual framework is proposed linking architecture to emotion through three ways: affective evaluation, restoration, and usability. The paper concludes with design implications and a research methodology for future practical validation. The findings emphasize that architecture functions as a form of emotional mechanism, shaping not only individual experiences but also collective urban psychology.