Introduction

This book addresses the widespread demand for an organism-centred approach to places that are consistent with psychological, emotional and social needs, based on a transdisciplinary confluence of behavioural neuroscience, interior architecture and spatial design. Ordinary perception is multisensory and based on automatic, spontaneous and often obligatory mental processes. If the design manages multisensory signals so that they are coherent, the brain automatically associates and processes them more smoothly and a mental state joined with aesthetics and comfort is produced. This activity generates a more pleasant cognitive experience, positively influencing both our aesthetic preferences and the decisions we make.

Part One: Perception and Design

The first part of the book deals with perception and its influence on interior and architectural design processes.

Part Two: Multisensory Wellbeing

The second part addresses multisensory wellbeing and its implication for human-place interaction.

Part Three: Atmospheres and Interior Regeneration

The third part focuses on atmospheres as a tool for interior regeneration, temporal and spatial experience.

Part Four: Urban Psychology

The fourth part is devoted to urban psychology and the diversity of the social environment.

Researchers, designers, practitioners can benefit from the knowledge of these phenomena and apply it to improve the liveability of new and reused spaces, expand individual wellbeing and better the relationship between people and their habitat.