Atmospheres: An exploration into the perception of architectural context

Abstract

The concept of atmosphere to architecture, proposed as a spatial ambience in the early 19th Century, suggested the notion of a prevailing 'mood' created through a relationship between the inhabitant and their environment. Schmitz suggested that an atmosphere is the creation of surface-less space, the 'felt body' experienced in a non-physical way. Böhme, however, argues for a direct relationship between the body and the current environment inhabited, suggesting an emotive response to the environment is a representation of the inhabitants 'where-ness'. Sloterdijk argues for a more intimate relationship between current environment and emotive position, suggesting the notion of a 'relationship sphere'. Atmosphere becomes a developed culmination of relationship spheres which consequently, continually change how the current environment is perceived. The focus of this thesis lies in its consideration of atmosphere as an architectural concept: What is atmosphere in architecture; and can it be defined as a relevant concept for contemporary space? Concluding that an architectural atmosphere is the perceptive evaluation of the 'feeling body' within an architectural environment, the proposal for a new gallery and museum in Queenstown, New Zealand, becomes an exploration of contextuality. Context here, describes both the emotive and physical environment of the user. Explored through the notions of alpine architecture and stone, a series of maquet studies are undertaken before considering an architectural proposal. The proposal therefore becomes an exploration into the intensification of context within the built environment suggesting that architecture can intensify the perception of atmosphere, creating a greater awareness of the contextual environment. The thesis finally proposes that although atmosphere can be determined as a relevant concept to architecture, a building's spatial atmosphere is largely defined by its engagement with the contextual conditions which the architect may not comprehend or control. It is therefore suggested that architecture and specifically its internal atmosphere, becomes a manipulation of uncontrollable external parameters. The architecture therefore does not create atmosphere, so much as intensify how the inhabitant perceives atmospheric variables.