Perceived Space: Sensory Explorations through Dynamic Envelopes

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5821/jida.2025.13628

Keywords:

embodiment in architecture, spatial phenomenology, spatial perception, sensory learning, active learning

Abstract

The Perceived Space experience is conceived as an active methodology for learning architectural space through bodily experimentation and systematic recording of perception. Conducted with first-year students, it involved constructing and transforming ephemeral cane-and-fabric envelopes to explore variables such as scale, enclosure, and intimacy in dynamic configurations. Based on a phenomenological understanding of space, which recognizes the body and senses as mediators of architectural experience, the project sought to link these variables with sensory perceptions. This process is grounded in the Research by Design approach, consolidating the experience as both a pedagogical tool and a resource for design reflection.

View DOI information in DOIBoard Crossref (by UPC)

Author Biographies

Amaro Antonio Aguayo Muñoz, Universidad Católica de Santa María

Architect graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the National University of San Agustín (UNSA), with a Master's degree in Design, Management, and Construction of Collective Housing. His thesis, titled "Analysis of the Effects Produced by Changes in Social Housing Policy in Peru in Relation to the Livability of Housing Complexes in Arequipa, 2021," was approved unanimously with public commendation. Recipient of the Celima Award for Architectural Quality in 2007 and 2008. University professor in the field of architectural design at Santa María Catholic University (Universidad Católica de Santa María). Speaker at the Congress on Philosophy and the City (Krakow, Poland), presenting the topic "Architectures in Transformation in Peru: Tradition, Contemporaneity, Migration, City, Clashes, and Fusions. Former Director of the Municipal Urban Planning Institute of Arequipa (IMPLA).

Anny Alvarez, Universidad Católica de Santa María

Architect graduated from the Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM). She has taught at the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) and is currently a faculty member in the design studio area at UCSM. Her work in architectural design has been recognized in competitions such as 100 Ideas to Return to the Street (IDB), the Public Spaces for Early Childhood competition (Ocupa tu Calle, Lima), and Concéntrico 09 (Spain). She is a member of the research group Territorios y Espacios Sensibles (TES Lab), which explores and analyzes space from a phenomenological perspective, drawing on disciplines such as anthropology and sociology.

Ricardo Cruz Cuentas, Universidad Católica de Santa María

Architect graduated from the National University of San Agustín of Arequipa (UNSA), with a Master’s degree in Urban-Environmental Planning and Management. Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at UNSA and Assistant Professor at UCSM, where he teaches Design Studio and History of Peruvian Architecture. Co-author of the book Urban Seams: Network of Neighborhood Centralities in the Periphery of Arequipa (2021), and author of the scientific article “From Abandonment to Resilience: A Risk Management Model for Informal Settlements Exposed to Floods in Arequipa”, published in Cientiarvm journal (2025).

Karen Villanueva, Universidad Católica de Santa María

Arquitecta por la Universidad Católica de Santa María, Maestro en Gerencia de la Construcción por la Universidad Católica de Santa María, egresada del Doctorado en Ciencias Ambientales en la Escuela de Postgrado de la Universidad Católica de Santa María. Docente universitaria de pre grado en universidades de Arequipa desde el año 2013. Docente de Calidad y Desarrollo de Tesis en la Maestría en Gerencia de la Construcción de la Escuela de Postgrado de la UCSM entre los años 2018 y 2019. Actualmente Docente de la Facultad de Arquitectura e Ingenierías Civil y del Ambiente de la UCSM y Directora de la Escuela Profesional de Arquitectura.

References

Agnew, Kenneth. 1993. «The Spitfire: Legend or History? An argument for a new research culture in design». Journal of Design History 6 (2): 121-30.

Böhme, Gernot. 1993. «Atmosphere as the Fundamental Concept of a New Aesthetics». Thesis Eleven 36 (1): 113-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/072551369303600107.

Canepa, Elisabetta, y Bob Condia. 2022. Generators of Architectural Atmosphere. New Prairie Press. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7191265.

Carbajal-Ballell, Rodrigo, y Silvana Rodrigues-De-Oliveira. 2016. «Inmersión en el proyecto arquitectónico: ideación, debate y construcción». En JIDA, 70-84. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.5821/jida.2016.5100.

Chatterjee, Anjan, y Oshin Vartanian. 2014. «Neuroaesthetics». Trends in Cognitive Sciences 18 (7): 370-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2014.03.003.

Frayling, Christopher. 1993. «Research in art and design». Royal College of Art Research Papers 1 (1).

García-Escudero, Daniel, y Berta Bardí-Milà. 2024. «Research by Design: Reflexiones en torno a la investigación arquitectónica». Palimpsesto 1 (27): 2. https://doi.org/10.5821/palimpsesto.27.13424.

Hatıpoğlu, Serkan Can, Melih Kamaoğlu, Gamze Şensoy, y Mehmet İnceoğlu. 2023. «Body, dance and abstraction for spatial and structural comprehension in the first year of design education». International Journal of Technology and Design Education 33 (1).

Holl, Steven. 2011. Cuestiones de percepción: Fenomenología de la arquitectura. Gustavo Gili SL.

Jelić, Andrea, Gaetano Tieri, Federico De Matteis, Fabio Babiloni, y Giovanni Vecchiato. 2016. «The Enactive Approach to Architectural Experience: A Neurophysiological Perspective on Embodiment, Motivation, and Affordances.» Frontiers in Psychology 7: 481. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00481.

Malnar, Joy Monice, y Frank Vodvarka. 2004. Sensory Design. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Merleau-Ponty, Maurice. 1993. Fenomenología de la percepción. Barcelona: Editorial Planera-De Agostini, S.A.

Pallasmaa, Juhani. 2022. Los ojos de la piel. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.

Pérez Delacruz, Elisa, Patricio Ortega Torres, Alejandra Paz Galdames Riquelme, y Valeria Silva Inostroza. 2023. «Ritmos Espaciales: aprender jugando». En JIDA, 699-713. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Iniciativa Digital Politècnica. https://doi.org/10.5821/jida.2023.12299.

Ramos Jular, Jorge, y Valentina Rizzi. 2024. «El espacio del cuerpo / el cuerpo del espacio: experiencias físicas y digitales y viceversa». En JIDA. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Iniciativa Digital Politècnica. https://doi.org/10.5821/jida.2024.13244.

Zumthor, Peter. 2007. Atmósferas. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-28

Issue

Section

PAPERS