Architecture Engineers Award

This study reconceptualizes the ontological status of architecture by positioning it not as a passive backdrop or symbolic construct, but as an active participant in human cognition. Drawing on Material Engagement Theory , the research argues that architecture functions as a macro-cognitive artifact—shaping, enabling, and co-constituting thought processes through continuous interaction with its users. The investigation focuses on Ryue Nishizawa ’s Moriyama House, which serves as a theoretical probe to explore how spatial fragmentation and material conditions influence cognitive engagement. Theoretical Framework: Architecture Beyond Representation Material Engagement Theory (MET) challenges traditional views that treat architecture as either a neutral container or a symbolic system. Instead, it proposes that cognition emerges through dynamic interactions between humans and material environments. Within this framework, buildings actively participate in shaping perception, behavior, and...

Understanding how users perceive and experience architectural spaces is a central concern in architectural research. With the advancement of immersive technologies, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a powerful tool for simulating designed environments. This study focuses on evaluating a multisensory VR system that integrates visual, olfactory, and auditory stimuli to investigate human–built environment interactions under multimodal conditions. Multisensory VR and Sensory Architecture The research is grounded in the emerging field of sensory architecture, which seeks to move beyond vision-dominated representations of space. By incorporating smell and sound alongside visual cues, the multisensory VR system aims to simulate a more holistic and embodied spatial experience. This approach enables architects and researchers to better understand how multiple sensory inputs collectively shape perception and meaning in built environments. System Design and Prototype Development The study eval...