IN-PERSON: Prague – Section A

Abstract

In changing roles–from institutions of preservation and display to places of cultural education and social support–museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces are increasingly becoming aware of the need to consider ways in which they can contribute to facilitating the positive inner wellbeing of urban inhabitants. This involves the need for an approach to both the physical design and to the resulting experience of material heritage, which goes beyond mere tangible dimensions, conjuring an intangible spirit of contentment and comfort that prioritises the minds and souls of individuals and communities. Our new project, funded by Horizon Europe, aims to develop this holistic approach to placemaking: loveability. Positioned within a context of the New European Bauhaus, our research targets the twofold concept of aesthetics (i.e.: perceptive feeling/sensation and artistic/design character) as a framework within which to study inner-sensory experiences of creative cultural spaces. Blending architecture, empirical psychology, and human geography, our interdisciplinary research will incorporate quantitative methods in an overall qualitative methodology to systematically investigate the relation between qualities of spatial design and psychological affect. Using the architectural typology and urban context of specific place-based museum-gallery-exhibition spaces, we will compare case studies in Vienna, Austria and Barcelona, Spain to assess the capacity of creative cultural spaces to facilitate uplifting experiences. We will present an overview of our new project and theoretical argument located within the paradigm of positive psychology and design. Our presentation is intended to raise awareness and stimulate discussion on roles of built and socio-cultural heritage in contributing to both the tangible/situated and intangible/mindful formation of holistic placemaking in urban life.