| Rapid population growth and accelerating urbanization have intensified resource depletion
and environmental degradation, presenting critical challenges for sustainable development.
Architecture, as a discipline bridging human life and the environment, is therefore experiencing a
profound transformation from incremental expansion to stock optimization. Beyond spatial and
material innovation, this transition requires deeper engagement with the emotional and spiritual
dimensions of human life. Historically, architecture has evolved from primitive shelters that ensured
basic survival to cultural and symbolic spaces that embody collective memory, identity, and social
belonging. In line with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, contemporary architecture is called upon to
transcend its functional role and address higher-order demands such as self-expression, respect, and
self-actualization. Within the broader context of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI),
architecture is increasingly expected to integrate advanced technologies that can directly engage with
human emotions, thereby fostering environments that are not only sustainable but also emotionally
resonant and responsive. This study addresses the central question of how architecture can
systematically meet emotional needs in the contemporary era. Two objectives guide the research:
firstly, to construct an integrated “environment – emotional needs” framework for explaining how
environmental factors shape emotional responses; secondly, to explore how AI and emotional
quantification technologies can enable architectural design to capture, interpret, and respond to
feedback in adaptive ways. The theoretical foundation of this research is built upon a review of
existing approaches that examine the relationship between environment and emotion, including
human-centered design, environmental psychology, behavioral architecture, place-dependence theory,
attention restoration theory, sensory design, and neuroarchitecture. While these frameworks highlight
important insights into perception, behavior, and cultural background, most rely heavily on qualitative
methods and therefore struggle to comprehensively quantify emotional responses. Moreover, although
neuroarchitecture has introduced neuroscientific methods such as electroencephalography (EEG) and
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it remains largely confined to the physiological level
and has not fully integrated cognitive and behavioral dimensions. To overcome these limitations, this
study introduces Emotional Engineering as a methodological bridge, combining cognitive science,
neuroscience, and engineering to quantify emotions through multimodal data. Within this framework,
subjective experiences, physiological signals (EEG, ECG, eye tracking), and behavioral observations
(facial expression, posture) are systematically integrated. Recent advances in AI, including deep
learning and multimodal affective recognition, further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of this
quantification process, allowing real-time emotion monitoring and predictive modeling. Building on
this foundation, the study proposes the framework of Affective Architecture. This framework is
structured around three interrelated domains: 1) understanding user needs through the integration of
cognitive, physiological, and behavioral responses; 2) the emotional expression of architectural
language; and 3) the stimulation and satisfaction of emotions through architectural environments,categorized into four dimensions—positive arousal, positive relaxation, negative arousal, and negative relaxation. These dimensions align with Russell’s
circumplex model of affect and enable a systematic mapping between emotional states and environmental triggers. Affective Architecture establishes a feedback
loop: quantified data from users are translated into design strategies, applied to spatial elements, and continuously validated through real-time monitoring. This
process ensures that design outcomes are dynamically adjusted to maintain alignment with user emotional needs, transforming architecture from static
functionality to dynamic emotional resonance.Anticipating future developments, the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT),
and immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) is expected to redefine the trajectory of Affective Architecture.
Intelligent sensing systems may enable the capture of physiological and behavioral signals, while adaptive control mechanisms can dynamically adjust spatial
parameters—such as lighting, temperature, and acoustics—in response to user emotions. At the same time, AI-based design tools and generative models offer
the potential to create adaptive architectural expressions that are not only technologically responsive but also attuned to individual emotions and cultural
contexts. Such integration highlights a paradigm shift, transforming architecture from static environments into dynamic, emotionally resonant spaces.However,
significant challenges remain. Emotional responses are shaped by cultural, psychological, and situational factors, making universal quantification inherently
complex. Physiological signals provide valuable insights but cannot fully capture the multidimensional nature of human emotions. Moreover, AI and big-data
systems encounter technical barriers in processing capacity, stability, and real-time application, which may limit their effectiveness in practical design contexts.
Addressing these challenges requires continuous refinement of emotional quantification methods, deeper cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the development
of culturally adaptive frameworks.In conclusion, this research argues that architecture is not only a material construct but also a profound medium for emotional
and cultural expression. By constructing the framework of Affective Architecture and integrating Emotional Engineering with AI-based quantification, the study
provides a pathway to systematically analyze and design for emotional needs. This interdisciplinary approach enables a transformation of architectural practice,
from static and function-oriented environments toward adaptive, emotionally resonant, and user-centered spaces. Ultimately, the convergence of architectural
design, emotional quantification, and intelligent technologies holds the potential to shape built environments that foster human well-being, cultural identity, and
sustainable development in the age of AI. |
