Yatsuba Е.А., Premyakova К.А., Zhirkova Е.Е.
MEANS OF INFLUENCE ON EMOTIONAL PERCEPTION OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM *
Аннотация:
the article is devoted to the analysis of such means of influence on the perception of architectural form as color, shape and texture. The data of a social survey are analyzed, and the urgent question of searching for new forms of interaction between architecture and man on a deeper, psychological level is raised.
Ключевые слова:
architecture, color, form, texture, associations, emotions
INTRODUCTION. In modern architecture, form and color are not just elements of aesthetics, but also powerful tools for influencing human perception [1, pp.45-52]. They are capable of influencing the emotional state, behavior, and even physiological reactions of people, which makes their study especially important for architects [2, pp.78-85]. In an urbanized environment, where buildings and public spaces interact with people on a daily basis, understanding the principles of visual perception becomes a key factor in creating comfortable and functional architecture [1, pp.56-63].The hypothesis of the study is that certain combinations of forms and colors are capable of evoking predictable reactions — from a sense of stability and harmony to imbalance and dynamics [3, pp.112-120]. This opens up new opportunities for architects to manage the perception of space, be it a residential environment, a public building, or an urban landscape [4, pp.67-75].THEORETICAL PART.The perception of form and color is a complex psychophysiological process that involves not only the visual apparatus, but also the cognitive mechanisms of interpreting the surrounding space [5, pp. 95-102].The human brain strives to simplify and structure visual information, which is clearly manifested in Gestalt psychology [6, pp. 1226-1229]. Its basic laws - proximity, similarity, closure, continuity - explain why we perceive a building not as a set of separate lines and planes, but as a holistic image [7, pp. 818-824].Color perception begins at the level of the retina, where cones react to different wavelengths [3, pp. 88-95], but its interpretation already depends on the cultural context and personal experience [4, pp. 45-52]. Physiologically, warm colors (red, orange) activate the nervous system, increasing the level of excitation, while cold colors (blue, light blue) have a calming effect [5, pp. 98-105]. Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) activate the hypothalamus, increasing the heart rate by 5-7% [5, pp. 100-102]. Cold colors (blue, light blue, violet) reduce the production of cortisol, promoting relaxation [7, pp. 822-825].Modern research demonstrates that color information is processed by the brain 30% faster than the formal characteristics of an object [6, p. 1228]. This explains the immediate emotional reaction to color solutions in architecture [7, pp. 820-825].Each color tone forms a complex associative series that an architect can use to create the desired image. For example:White in modern architecture:Associations: purity, minimalism, technology.Effect: visual expan.sion of space (+15% to the subjective assessment of the area)Risks: the effect of "sterility" requiring softening with textures.Terracotta shades:Psychological impact: a sense of security, "earthly" anchorage [4, pp.88-92].Optimal use: residential complexes, public spaces [2, pp.102-108].Historical context: Mediterranean tradition, adaptive to sunlight [1, pp.145-150].Industrial gray:Urban code: technology, functionality.Emotional risk: can cause depression with an area of >30% of the facade [7, pp.830-835].Compensatory techniques: combination with wooden textures or bright accents [3, [pp.102-105].Rule of thumb: the color saturation of facades should decrease as the number of storeys increases - from warm, saturated tones at the bottom to cool and light ones at the top.Along with color and shape, the geometry of a building helps the human brain perceive the appearance of a structure [1, pp.85-90]. Simple geometric shapes carry a deep semiotic meaning, developed over centuries of evolution and cultural development [2, pp.110-115].A square and a cube symbolize stability, order and reliability [5, pp.105-110]. In architecture, they are often used in administrative buildings and classical ensembles, emphasizing monumentality and rationality. However, an excess of right angles can create a feeling of rigidity and oppression [7, pp.835-840].A circle and a sphere are associated with harmony, infinity and natural organicity [6, pp.1230-1232]. Domes, arched structures and cylindrical volumes soften the perception of space, which makes them popular in sacred architecture and modern public interiors. The triangle and pyramid convey dynamics, direction and even aggression [4, p.95-100]. Their sharp angles are subconsciously perceived as a threat, but in moderate doses they add energy to the composition.RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY.During the sociological survey, data was collected on the perception of specific examples of the use of color, shape and texture in the appearance of the building.Each survey used such characteristics of emotional perception as: calm, inspiration, anxiety, surprise, comfort, boredom, admiration, fear, thoughtfulness and freshness.The first section is "Color". Such characteristics of the color scheme as chromatic and achromatic tones, minimalism and maximalism (saturation) of color, contrast and color range were considered.In a comparison of the use of chromatic and achromatic tones in the facade of the building, 69.2% of respondents chose chromatic tones, and 30.8% - achromatic. When looking at a building with a chromatic façade, 53.8% felt fresh, 46.2% felt comfortable, and 38.5% felt inspired. At the same time, achromatic tones more often caused a feeling of thoughtfulness (65.4%) and boredom (42.3%). This tells us that the conditional "brightness" of a building helps our brain get a boost of energy, while "dullness" slows it down. Of the minimalism and maximalism in the color scheme, the majority chose a more restrained number of colors used in the buildings façade (73.1% and 26.9%, respectively). At the same time, minimalism helped 65.8% of respondents feel comfortable and calm. Maximalism had the opposite effect - 50% of respondents noted a feeling of inspiration when looking at the playful colors of the façade. It can be argued that it is the saturation of various colors of the architectural form that can affect the performance of the observers brain. Contrast in color scheme also affects our emotional perception of the building. Thus, 84.6% of respondents chose a bright contrast, which caused 38.5% to feel admiration and inspiration. At the same time, 15.4% chose a low-contrast color combination, and 50% of respondents noted a feeling of boredom from this color scheme. These results show us and once again confirm that brightness and variety energize us, and monotony and grayness give us the opportunity to relax.Among the warm and cold color schemes, the cold one was chosen more often (69.2%). Although only 30.8% of respondents chose the warm range, both options evoked the same emotions. 53.8% of respondents felt calm when looking at blue and purple colors and 57.7% when looking at red and orange shades.The second section is "Form". This section considered the dynamics, geometry and degree of fragmentation of the form. Sharp, clear shapes were chosen by 61.5% of respondents, and soft and rounded shapes by 38.5%. Sharp angles and cubic shapes caused a feeling of thoughtfulness in 30.8%. The softness of the shape contributed to a feeling of comfort in 50% of respondents. We can make a brief conclusion that oval and round elements should be used for interiors and exteriors of buildings that should be cozy. A sharp and clear shape helps the brain concentrate on the task. Dynamics has a great influence on the emotional perception of the building. 76.9% of respondents chose horizontal dynamics. At the same time, 38.5% noted a feeling of calm at the sight of this building. Vertical dynamics, on the contrary, caused a feeling of anxiety in 42.3% of respondents. Only 23.1% chose this option. This shows us that more “down-to-earth” architectural forms with horizontal dynamics calm us down. The brain "reduces" them due to the visual effect created by these dynamics. The vertical, on the contrary, makes the brain "exaggerate", so a feeling of fear and anxiety may arise.The degree of fragmentation of the architectural form is no less important for emotional perception. 92.3% of respondents chose a highly fragmented form, while 7.7% noted that a facade without prominent elements was more attractive to them. 53.8% of respondents felt inspired when looking at an interesting, fragmented form, and 69.2% felt bored with a generalized form. These data show us that the diversity of elements in an architectural form arouses a vivid interest in the brain. It wants to study and examine every detail of this form.The third section is "Texture". This is as strong a way of interacting with the emotional perception of an architectural form as color and form. This section discusses the smoothness, matte and mirror-like surfaces. 53.8% of respondents chose the smooth surface, and 46.2% chose the rough surface. Most felt calm when they saw the smooth surface (42.3%), and 34.6% of respondents noted a feeling of surprise when they looked at the rough surface. This shows us that the rough surface arouses more interest in the viewer.When choosing between a glass and a matte surface, 96.2% chose the former. The matte surface interested only 3.8% of respondents. The most chosen option caused a feeling of admiration in 50% of respondents, while the other was noted as boring by 61.5% of respondents. These results allow us to conclude that the glass surface surprises our brain, it seems more futuristic and unreal.The mirror surface and regular glazing received the same number of votes among respondents. But at the same time, the mirror surface more often caused a feeling of inspiration (38.5%), and regular glazing - a feeling of calm (38.5%). Both of these options were equally liked by respondents, but they caused diametrically opposed feelings.The survey data clearly show that when designing the appearance of a building, it is important not only to choose a style, but also to think about the deeper levels of human perception of the architectural form.CONCLUSION.The conducted research demonstrates that the interaction of form and color in architecture is not just an aesthetic category, but a complex system of visual communication that directly affects the psychophysiological state of a person. The architecture of the 21st century requires a fundamentally new approach from a specialist, where form and color are considered as precise tools for creating a psychologically comfortable environment. Future architects will have to work at the intersection of art, science and technology, creating spaces that not only perform functional tasks, but also contribute to the psycho-emotional well-being of a person when looking at a rough surface. This shows us that a rough surface is of greater interest to the viewer.
Номер журнала Вестник науки №5 (86) том 4
Ссылка для цитирования:
Yatsuba Е.А., Premyakova К.А., Zhirkova Е.Е. MEANS OF INFLUENCE ON EMOTIONAL PERCEPTION OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM // Вестник науки №5 (86) том 4. С. 1681 - 1687. 2025 г. ISSN 2712-8849 // Электронный ресурс: https://www.вестник-науки.рф/article/23480 (дата обращения: 09.07.2025 г.)
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