Surreal architecture embodying emotions.

Can Buildings Really Make You Feel? The Surprising Science of Architectural Emotions

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Avery Sinclair in Culture & Society August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Uncover the hidden language of architecture and how it shapes our emotional experiences. Explore the scientific aesthetics of buildings from 1860-1900 and beyond."


Architecture is more than just bricks and mortar; it's a powerful form of expression. Buildings have the ability to evoke emotions, influence our feelings, and shape our experiences. But how is it possible for non-imitative forms to represent ideas and convey specific feelings? This question has intrigued architects and scholars for centuries, leading to the development of what we now call the scientific aesthetics of architecture.

The idea that architectural forms can have emotional implications isn't new. Character theory, which emerged in France over a century ago, attempted to create a universal language of architecture based on codified emotions. Think of grand cathedrals designed to inspire awe or cozy cottages intended to foster a sense of warmth and security. But the challenge has always been: on what theoretical framework can this skill be based?

In France, during the period of 1860-1900, there was a surge of interest in scientifically understanding how architecture affects our emotions. This movement sought to move beyond intuitive design and establish a rational basis for creating emotionally resonant spaces. This article explores the key figures, theories, and debates that shaped this fascinating era in architectural history, revealing how the quest to understand architectural emotions continues to influence design today.

Decoding the Emotional Blueprint: How Architects Started to Analyze Feelings

Surreal architecture embodying emotions.

During the 19th century, aesthetics gradually evolved into a scientific discipline, drawing support from diverse fields ranging from art philosophy to perceptual sciences. The German context, known for its richness, significantly contributed to this development, particularly in theories of empathy and expression, along with advancements in understanding perceptive phenomena. These concepts proved highly influential in shaping emerging ideas about form and space. However, in France, aesthetics was established as a formal discipline much later, even though attention to architecture's expressive capabilities began relatively early.

French architects combined philological, physiognomic, and philosophical investigations to develop idiosyncratic expression theories before aesthetics was officially recognized as a science capable of guiding artistic creation. These theories were often loosely inspired by the work of German aesthetician Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten.

  • The Rise of Autonomous Knowledge: It wasn't until the 19th century that French aesthetics began to solidify as an independent field of knowledge with its own study objects and methodologies.
  • Terminology Troubles: The ambiguity in terminology (“science of beauty,” “philosophy of art,” “science of art,” and “aesthetics”) reflected the challenges of situating aesthetics within the broader landscape of philosophy and social or experimental sciences during a period of significant intellectual restructuring.
  • Institutional Struggles: Establishing a scientific identity went hand-in-hand with securing an institutional position, a process marked by considerable effort. The philosophical discourse on beauty faced challenges in gaining acceptance within academic circles.
Figures like philosopher Théodore Jouffroy presented theories in the 1820s, considered foundational for modern French aesthetics, during lectures outside institutional settings. Recognition of the discipline began in 1857 when the philosophy department of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques launched a competition to define a uniquely French version of the “science of beauty,” distinct from German approaches. This competition spurred examination of philosophical reflections on art and, within positivist circles, the term "aesthetics" was used to describe modernized approaches – historical, sociological, or psycho-physiological – to art.

The Enduring Legacy: From Scientific Inquiry to Sensory Design

The quest to understand the emotional impact of architecture, born from the scientific inquiries of the 19th century, continues to shape design today. From the academic culture of the École des Beaux-Arts to the sensorial economy of Le Corbusier, the legacy of this era can be seen in modern architectural practices. By recognizing the power of architecture to influence our emotions, we can create spaces that not only meet our functional needs but also enhance our well-being and enrich our lives.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What is scientific aesthetics of architecture and why is it important?

The scientific aesthetics of architecture refers to the study of how architectural forms evoke emotions and influence our well-being. It emerged from the desire to move beyond intuitive design and establish a rational basis for creating emotionally resonant spaces. This approach is important because it allows architects to design spaces that not only meet functional needs but also positively impact our emotional and psychological states, enhancing our well-being and enriching our lives.

2

How did the French approach to architectural emotions differ from the German approach in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, the German context significantly contributed to the development of understanding perceptive phenomena, empathy and expression. In France, however, aesthetics was established as a formal discipline much later. French architects combined philological, physiognomic, and philosophical investigations to develop idiosyncratic expression theories before aesthetics was officially recognized as a science. The French approach was also marked by struggles to establish aesthetics as an independent field of knowledge and to secure institutional recognition, in contrast to the German context, which had a richer theoretical background.

3

What was Character theory, and how did it attempt to influence architectural design?

Character theory, which emerged in France over a century ago, attempted to create a universal language of architecture based on codified emotions. The aim was to design buildings that would elicit specific emotional responses, such as awe in a cathedral or warmth in a cozy cottage. This theory aimed to provide a framework for architects to intentionally design spaces that could convey particular feelings and ideas, influencing how people experienced buildings.

4

What challenges did French aesthetics face in the 19th century, and how were they addressed?

French aesthetics in the 19th century faced several challenges. One was the ambiguity in terminology, with terms like "science of beauty" and "philosophy of art" used interchangeably, which reflected the difficulties of situating aesthetics within the broader landscape of philosophy and social or experimental sciences. Another major hurdle was securing an institutional position and gaining acceptance within academic circles. These challenges were addressed through philosophical discourse, competitions to define a French version of aesthetics distinct from German approaches, and the eventual use of the term "aesthetics" to describe modernized approaches to art, including historical, sociological, and psycho-physiological ones.

5

How did the scientific inquiry into architectural emotions during the 19th century influence modern architectural practices, and what are the implications?

The scientific inquiry of the 19th century significantly influenced modern architectural practices by shaping how architects understand the emotional impact of spaces. This legacy can be seen in practices like the École des Beaux-Arts and the sensorial economy of Le Corbusier. The implications are that architects can now create spaces that enhance our well-being and enrich our lives by deliberately designing environments that evoke specific emotions. By recognizing the power of architecture to influence our feelings, modern design moves beyond mere functionality and considers the psychological and emotional effects of built environments.

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