Seasonal atmospheres; a sensorial journey through the seasons within architecture

Abstract

In Sweden, many find themselves indoors during the cold and dark months while longing for the warm and brighter seasons. Similarly, some types of weather are often preferred over others. The inside spaces, which one occupies most of their life, often offer little experience of the surrounding environment. As most spaces exclude the surroundings, it might contribute to the unequal values of the different seasons and weather conditions. By utilizing architectural interventions, a year-round engagement and positive experience of all seasons and weather conditions might be increased. Thus, the purpose is to explore the potential of architecture that fosters a deeper connection and appreciation between architectural spaces and the seasons by creating nuance integrations and immersive experiences. This paper provides insights, inspiration, and practical solutions to create dynamic spaces in which the seasons, weather conditions, and changes of the day may be experienced. The findings are exemplified through the design of a farm-to-table restaurant, as such a project is also directly affected by the natural cycles of the seasons. The objective of the exemplification is not to include all findings but to explore to which extent they can be utilized and the experiential effect they create together. The solutions are based on the principles of atmospheric architecture and sensory design. It is chosen for its ability to create enriched spaces that engage multiple senses and thus foster a deeper connection with the space. Furthermore, it can promote mindfulness and be used as a tool to evoke specific experiences and emotions. All seasons and selected weather conditions have been evaluated through those principles with diagrammatic methods and sketches. The findings thus far suggest that there are multiple ways to design for different weather conditions. It is, however, easier to design for some, such as rain and sunshine, as the conditions have a more physical effect than others, such as a cloudy sky. As all seasons have varying weather conditions, it is also proven challenging to create a holistic experience that differs one season from the other to a more significant extent.