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The Relationship Between Architectural Form and User Experience

Abstract

Architectural form plays an important role in shaping how people perceive, understand, and interact with the built environment. The size, shape, proportion, scale, geometry, material expression, and spatial configuration of a building can influence users' emotional responses, movement patterns, comfort, and overall perception of place. As contemporary architecture increasingly emphasizes innovative forms and visual expression, there is a need to consider how architectural form affects the experiences and everyday activities of building users. This study examines the relationship between architectural form and user experience, focusing on how physical characteristics of buildings influence human interaction with space. It considers architectural elements such as building massing, scale, proportion, spatial sequence, circulation, enclosure, openings, façades, and the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. The study explores how these elements contribute to users' perceptions of functionality, comfort, accessibility, identity, and visual quality. Particular attention is given to the relationship between architectural form and spatial experience. Building forms that provide clear circulation, appropriate proportions, understandable spatial organization, and meaningful transitions between spaces can influence users' ability to navigate and engage with their surroundings. The arrangement of entrances, corridors, gathering spaces, courtyards, and transitional areas can further shape patterns of movement, interaction, privacy, and social engagement within buildings. The study also considers environmental factors associated with architectural form. Building orientation, massing, façade design, openings, shading, and spatial configuration can affect natural lighting, ventilation, thermal conditions, acoustics, and connection to outdoor environments. These environmental qualities can influence user comfort and well-being, demonstrating that architectural form is not only an aesthetic consideration but also an important factor in creating functional and responsive environments. Different users may experience the same architectural form in different ways depending on age, cultural background, physical ability, activities, expectations, and previous experiences. The study therefore considers the importance of user-centred evaluation in understanding architectural experience. Methods such as observation, interviews, questionnaires, behavioural mapping, and post-occupancy evaluation can provide useful information about how users perceive and interact with different architectural forms. The study aims to examine the relationship between architectural form and user experience and identify design considerations that can support positive human interactions with the built environment. The findings are expected to assist architects, researchers, planners, and other built-environment professionals in understanding how formal and spatial decisions influence user perceptions, behaviour, comfort, and well-being. By integrating architectural expression with functional and human considerations, contemporary buildings can achieve forms that are visually meaningful while remaining responsive to the needs and experiences of their users.

Keywords: Architectural form, User experience, Architectural design, Spatial perception, Human behaviour, Building form, Spatial organization, Environmental quality, User-centred design, Human interaction, Architectural psychology, Spatial experience, Building performance, Responsive architecture.