THE AWE EFFECT
Aesthetic chills and ‘The Awe Effect’
How to design the awe effect into your home because, according to science and evidence based design, aesthetic chills can help you to live better, longer and more creatively.
This project was conceived around the awe effect I’m guessing. Nicknamed the Mountain and Cloud cabins, one of the architects was inspired by his time living in Norway. - located in Hubei province, China, designed by Advanced Architecture Lab and Wiki World.
Is it that we find things beautiful because we just do, intuitively? Or is it that we have evolved a predilection for beauty because over millennia, our well being, survival even, depended on beauty?
The evolutionary benefits of appreciating beauty are part of the hot new field of neuroaesthetics. These newsletters are dedicated to bringing you the translation of the new evidence based studies into visual explanations of what these theories of aesthetics are, and how you can use them in your own style of living.
The Mountain and Cloud cabins are high on the slopes; the effect is that you are sleeping within the tree canopy. Images from this Dezeen article
This ‘awe effect’, for example, has been studied and the findings give me a wonderful evidence based tool I can use in interior design. I’ll explain;
The studies show that when we experience awe because we are struck by just how beautiful a view is, or how art or music moves us, our bodies feel that. The neurotransmitter dopamine is released and its knock-on anti-inflammatory effects benefit the body’s function and wellness positively. Dopamine is a reward centre player and is central to our well being. The author Isabelle Sjövall, in her book Designfulness says that,
Beauty and aesthetics can activate the striatum, the part of the brain that, along with the neurotransmitter dopamine, is central to the body's reward system. Anti-inflammatory effects have also been noted.
#aesthetichowtos
So how to live with this aesthetic advantage? How can you aggregate the layers of interior design elements to get this effect? The main way is to bring the outside in, in some way. Even if you live in a city you can be struck by the stunning light that falls on your floors or walls as the sun's path changes through the day and over the seasons.
Mid morning summer daylight from a clerestory window plays on the white wall and oil painting - Dublin. photo by Áine Atara.
The more we appreciate the light, the more we find it striking and extraordinary. Our mind appreciates and we feel psychologically better, the mind lets the body know and we have a physiological reaction; we are calmer, our heart rate slows, our blood pressure is lowered.
This project, has an awe inspiring 116 year old Jacaranda tree in its garden.
So how could you design this into your daily life? I'm a big advocate of the picture window that frames a view. If you are building, renovating or buying a property please, please pay attention to this. Hire me (remote consults work well) or another designer to get advice on how to maximise your orientation and views.
The Sydney project by Panovscott architects has framed the crown of the Jacaranda tree with a perfect picture window that must be a joy to live with.
For existing properties you can place a mirror at right angles if you are challenged by the site or existing room layout. The mirror could be framed or a full expanse panel bonded to the wall. That decision depends on the lines of sight, the volume expansion required and light reflection needed.
Here is an example of the latter;
The awe effect is created by mirroring the wall, effectively giving the illusion of a wide, expansive view. The street has beautiful historic architecture and established trees.
The homeowner has half of the bay window on the facade. But from inside it feels full width. Images and project here
There is a huge work advantage to you too if you invest in reverse engineering the 'awe effect'. When we are in awe, marvelling at how the light falls on our wall hanging or large abstract art canvas, dopamine is released. Dopamine is the action motivating one and it sparks life giving energy into our creative flow. We feel like we want to create, our ideas flow more easily, new possibilities and positive thoughts occur to us. The more you feel in awe of beauty the more creative you are. And the more creative you are the less acedia in the world. We all need this.
Thank you to my new followers and readers. I’m delighted to be in your inbox.
Until next week,
Áine (Awn-yah) Atara
