ATMOSPHERE AND BUILDING CULTURE

A study of building culture ́s effect on spatial atmospheres
The purpose of this text is to shed light on the relationship between the way we build and the ensuing spatial atmospheres that emerge. The backdrop for this is a series of observations of the spaces we move through daily; at work, in school and in the home. In these places, we may sense a tendency for their spatial characteristics to gradually become indistinguishable. The suspicion arises that contemporary building culture leaves a uniform stamp engendering a similarly uniform atmosphere on spaces. Based on that, we might surmise that the industrialisation of construction is the root cause. This text will address whether these assumptions are grounded in reality: Is industrialisation the true source of the uniformity and conformity experienced in the atmospheres of contemporary spaces? In order to determine this, a study has been carried out that retrospectively compares the atmosphere in a space with the development and evolution of building culture. Ranging across nine examples, representing distinctive instances from the Viking Age to contemporary building culture, this relationship has been examined.
The aim is to uncover the degree and manner to which building culture’s historical impact has influenced spaces and their atmosphere.
Why is this significant? It is because the experience of the uniform atmospheres of contemporary spaces is inconsistent with the varied utilisations of those spaces. When building culture results in the same impression of schools, kindergartens, housing, offices or psychiatric hospitals then a problem exists. Our lives are multifaceted and presuppose spatial environments that both in terms of use and atmosphere are adaptable, creating a framework for positive physical and mental well-being.
In this phenomenological study the concept of atmosphere is employed as a qualitatively comprehensive evaluation of space. As we shall see, this is not as straightforward as it may sound and presupposes a series of methodological deliberations. We are all familiar with spatial atmospheres but attempting to convey them is challenging. They become suddenly complex and difficult to grasp.