Do we know how we really feel? Towards a methodology for investigating space and well-being

This paper seeks to lay the basis of a wider research program, which investigates how users relate to the built environments in a more holistic and inclusive vision of comfort that integrates emotional responses to spatial features. As a matter of fact, the physical, thermodynamic aspects of the built environment are increasingly acknowledged as critical factors shaping perceived human comfort and human behaviour; as opposite, emotional states and cognitive processes are often disregarded in this context. In parallel, the field of neuroarchitecture is emerging, showing the possibility of a significant advance in exploring the influence of the built environment on performance and user satisfaction. The paper proposes an investigatory framework for future research on the relationship between built environments and human well-being, drawing from existing literature, in an attempt to extrapolate the interrelation/interdependence between physiological and psychological effects in architectural spaces. The presented literature review considers the effects of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) factors – including lighting, temperature, acoustics, and air quality – on the comfort, productivity, and psychological state of occupants in various building types, such as offices and hospitals, as well as the effectiveness of green building certifications in achieving optimal IEQ. Starting from the literature review, the paper proposes a theoretical framework that examines the intertwined relation between functional needs and other, often disregarded, experiential aspects related to human emotions and cognition that positively influence human well-being.