Contemplative Neuroaesthetics in Architecture: A Sensorimotor Theoretical Framework
This paper initiates the development of a theoretical framework for contemplative neuroaesthetics grounded in sensorimotor dynamics. While neuroaesthetics has expanded significantly in recent years, the contemplative dimension—particularly in relation to architecture—has received limited scholarly attention. This research positions contemplative neuroaesthetics as an underexplored yet promising domain, aiming to articulate how architectural environments can evoke contemplative phenomenological states through embodied experience. Defining Contemplative Neuroaesthetics Contemplative neuroaesthetics is proposed as a distinct area of inquiry that investigates the capacity of art and architecture to induce states of contemplation, reflection, and inward awareness. This section defines the conceptual boundaries of the field, emphasizing its relevance for understanding how built environments shape not only perception but also mental and emotional states. Establishing this definition is ess...