Interior Atmosphere

An emotional tinge of an interior space

How is atmosphere crafted?
What does it mean when describing a room as atmospheric?

Does it relate to a space that has been stylized?

Is it just spatial quality?

Does atmosphere originate from interior finishes and décor?

Is it simply the design resulting from skilful use of lighting and color?

Is atmosphere an immersive ambience?

Does it have a critical edge, literally and theoretically?

All these questions came to my mind when I read ‘Interior Atmosphere’ – the term.

“Atmosphere” refers to the earth’s envelope of air. As we all know. But it is since the 18th century, that atmosphere started to be used as for describing moods ‘in the air’.
Atmosphere is an architectural quality. Architectural space acts as multi – sensorial experience, because of our ability to measure qualities of matter, space and scale by our eyes, ears, nose, muscle, skin, tongue and skeleton. Atmospheres are feelings poured out into a space – a building with a soul. It is a language we learn before words – combined of a range of sensual and spatial experiences – we sense where we are, through feeling of our own presence and moods, we sense what kind of space surrounds us – we sense its atmosphere.
Architect Peter Zumthor manages to describe in a very simple way – “it is a quality when you experience a building and it gets you. It sticks in your memory and your feelings…. when a building manages to move you, it is the atmosphere.”
We must be physically present” to experience ‘mood’ of a space entirely. When we enter into the hotel room, a restaurant or any other place, a particular atmosphere is present and it makes us to say ‘ it feels so comfortable here’ or that we feel like ‘home’ or ‘out of place’. We feel that atmosphere at lunch time in a coffee shop is different than the one at the dinner time in a restaurant. We feel something is there in a space, but not physical; not things, but ‘almost – things’ or emotions poured out spatially that move the felt (not the material) body.
The elements which create an atmosphere:
Materials:
If we would look around in the place where we are sitting now, it probably contains a great collection of world’s available materials which are combined together, react with one another and complement each other by creating unique compositions. It can add warmth, coldness, a pleasant texture to touch and evoke our feelings.

Light:
It is clear that without natural light source life could not exist therefore the relationship between light and architecture occurs undoubtedly. Its function is to create brightness, an atmosphere in which the space exists; it varies the space, gives characteristic mood and makes an effect on its totality. If it is used in a clever way, light can transform the spatial context; make a great impact on us, our mood and our perception of the surrounding space.

Air & Ventilation:
It is an important link between us and other spatial qualities – light, sound, smell and temperature; it is a stir in the atmosphere.

Sound:
Buildings do ‘talk’. Each building has its own language. It feels alive. Like objects, sound can induce emotional and sensual responses. Specific sounds define particular places, time and memories.

“To hear a sound is to see a space”
— LOUIS I. KHAN
And, of course, last and most important element – is you, me and us all. We tend to humanize things, because they are an extension of us, our imagination, dreams and memories.
Buildings do have structure like our bones, layers of ‘skin’, grand, transparent ‘eyes’ and … a ‘soul’ – an atmosphere.