By Victoria Benatar 6/5/26
At EXD Architecture, we believe that great interiors are not simply seen, they are experienced.
Inspired by the work of architect and theorist Juhani Pallasmaa, we embrace a multisensory approach to design that engages the full spectrum of human perception.
While contemporary design often prioritizes visual impact, both architecture and neuroscience remind us that our experience of space is shaped by far more than sight alone.
The brain does not experience architecture through vision alone. Spatial perception emerges from the integration of sensory information—including light, sound, texture, temperature, movement, and scent—creating the emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses that shape our experience of place.
The human brain continuously processes information from all the senses—light, sound, texture, temperature, scent, and spatial proportions—to determine how we feel, behave, and interact with our surroundings. These sensory inputs influence emotional responses, stress levels, cognitive performance, memory formation, and overall wellbeing.
The brain continuously integrates information from light, sound, texture, temperature, scent, and spatial conditions. These sensory inputs shape our emotions, influence stress levels, affect cognitive performance, form memories, and ultimately determine how we experience and interact with our environment.
Natural Materials & Touch
Therme Vals by Peter Zumthor
A masterclass in tactile architecture. The stone surfaces, changing temperatures, acoustics, and filtered light create a deeply embodied sensory experience.
Daylight & Circadian Rhythm
Salk Institute by Louis Kahn
The movement of daylight across the concrete surfaces transforms the space throughout the day, reinforcing our awareness of time, rhythm, and nature.
Nature & Wellbeing
Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright
Perhaps the most famous example of biophilic design. The sound of water, views of the forest, natural materials, and seamless indoor-outdoor connection create a profound sense of immersion in nature
Acoustics, Light & Contemplation
Church of the Light by Tadao Ando
A powerful demonstration of how light, silence, proportion, and material simplicity can evoke emotional and cognitive responses far beyond visual aesthetics.
“Architecture is the art of reconciliation between ourselves and the world, and this mediation takes place through the senses.”
— Juhani Pallasmaa
From the tactile stone baths of Therme Vals to the changing daylight of the Salk Institute, the integration of nature at Fallingwater, and the contemplative atmosphere of the Church of the Light, these iconic projects demonstrate that architecture is experienced through the entire body. Light, sound, texture, temperature, and connection to nature work together to shape how the brain perceives, remembers, and responds to space.
