Kalkidan Fressa
Kalkidan has an MSc in advanced architectural design from the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EIABC) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in architecture and design research at Virginia Tech. She has diverse work experience, expanding from architecture practices in an international office as a design coordinator to working as a researcher for LSE Cities
Material Perception, Affordance and Its Influence on Psychological Well-being and Sustainability in Architecture.
This research aims to explore the complex relationship between material perception and sustainability within the context of architectural design, with a particular emphasis on the psychological and experiential impacts of materials on occupants. By investigating how various materials can influence individuals' physical and emotional responses, this study sheds light on how material perception can impact sustainability practices, user appreciation, and design choices. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, including cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and environmental science, this study examines how different materials can evoke a range of psychological states, from comfort to stress, and how sensory-rich materials can promote well-being and sustainable interactions due to their aesthetics. Through a detailed analysis of the need for sensory-rich architectural designs and their impact on occupants' psychological health and sustainability practices, this research aims to develop guidelines for optimizing material perceptual quality in architectural design. By integrating material perceptual quality and affordance in design into the design process, this study suggests that architectural spaces can become more adaptable, usable, and sustainable.
James Jones