Sensory Design: How the 5 Senses Influence Interior Architecture

The wise words of Yoshio Taniguchi, Japanese architect and brains behind the redesign of MOMA in New York, capture the importance of sensory design. When both architecture and interior design take into account human needs, they can have a considerable influence on mood, focus and total well-being, creating emotional resonance as well as a feeling of security, safety and connection – all important factors whether you’re travelling for work or on holiday with family. So if the goal of sensory design – sometimes also known as “haptic architecture” – in hotels is to move beyond how they look to how they feel, smell and sound, how is this achieved? Well, of course, staying at Novotel hotels is a good start! 

Briefly, sensory design is a human approach to interior architecture that goes well beyond the merely visual to involve all five senses. It’s less wrapped up in outward appearance and more concerned with how a place “feels” or resonates, and works by involving the following elements:

• Sight: The careful use of lighting, colour and patterns is used to create specific moods, and can have a huge impact on mood and energy levels.
• Smell: Scent is very important in sensory design, thanks to its ability to stir up memories and reduce anxiety. Lavender is particularly good for relaxation.
• Sound: The catchword of the moment is “soundscaping”: using acoustics or natural noise to reduce negative sounds. Music is often used to promote tranquility – hence the ambient music used in hotel spas.
• Taste: A layout that encourages experimentation with flavours is vital for the hospitality industry. Our sense of taste is also enhanced by social interaction around the sharing of food, the shape and colour of crockery and cutlery, or glassware design. 
• Touch: Incorporating natural textures like wood, stone or soft fabrics into design provides comfort and familiarity.
   

Essentially, sensory design acknowledges that we spend most of our time indoors, so it’s vital that our environment supports our physical and mental health rather than just looking good. Its common applications include creating quiet and restful “zones” in domestic housing, or using natural light and white noise in hospitals. In hospitality, sensory design has an almost theatrical element, allowing guests to leave their familiar world – and all its issues – behind and step into the warm embrace of a carefully curated experience.

Where once luxury in hotels would be measured by grand marble fittings or the square footage of your penthouse suite, today it is increasingly defined by emotional reaction. Sensory design is being used in hotels to evoke feelings, create precious memories for guests and – of course – shape brand identity and loyalty. Hotel guests often forget what they saw, but they remember how they felt, so the current era of hospitality design believes that light, scent, taste, sound and texture work together to create environments that comfort, inspire and calm the brain. 

With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality design, Nicolas Capéran of London-based studio Takagicapéran has recently transformed Novotel London Bridge as well as Novotel York Centre using multi-sensory architecture and interior design elements. His goal? To translate the personality of each space – from lobby to bar, restaurant to guest room or spa – into a unique experience filled with discovery, surprise and emotion. 

Well-designed spaces in hotels undoubtedly reduce travel-related stress and foster relaxation. Thoughtful design turns a hotel room from an impersonal place into a sanctuary for holistic well-being and sound sleep, whereas a poor environment and noisy backdrop will increase anxiety and stress levels. The key ways interior design can support mental health during travel include:
 

1. Connection to nature: “Biophilic design” is another phrase of the moment, and covers the inclusion of natural elements like plants, wood, stone and sunlight into design to lower stress and blood pressure while improving mood. 
   
   
2. Psychology of colour: Muted palettes of soft blues, greens and neutrals create tranquil environments in which travellers can relax. Conversely, vibrant colours used in the public areas of a hotel encourage social interaction.
   
   
3. Use of lighting: Access to natural light helps regulate sleep patterns and circadian rhythms; both are critical for mental health when on the move. Hotel rooms with warm lighting, dimmer lamps or apps for you to create your own mood lighting foster a restful and cosy vibe. Harsh lights can induce stress. 
   
   
4. Spatial layout: A well-organised, minimalist room space is easy to navigate and promotes a sense of control and calm, with cluttered layouts making it hard to relax. 
   
   
5. Physical comfort: Appropriate furniture thoughtfully arranged (cosy armchairs or a desk by the window) in a hotel room will reduce physical strain and enhance relaxation.
   
   
6. Security: Features like secure door locks and a welcoming décor contribute to a sense of safety and promote a feeling of “belonging” in unfamiliar hotel rooms.

Novotel has already taken sensory design on board, so wherever you stay with us, you’re sure to be wrapped in a comforting cocoon of comfort and relaxation. Staying in our warm and welcoming hotels will inspire you to follow your travel-wellness rituals and help mitigate any travel anxiety you may experience.

• Luxury is now defined by how a place feels, not looks.
• Interior design impacts mental health during travel.
• Hotels are now being designed with all five senses in mind. 

Sensory design works on appealing to all five human senses when creating functional and comfortable spaces. Biophilic design is an additional tool to use alongside sensory design and works on forming a calming reconnection with nature through the use of plants, water (perhaps in fountains), sunlight and natural textures.

The psychology of light is a complex issue that pays a huge part in sensory design. Scientific studies reveal that light has the power to create emotions, with different types stimulating or calming the brain. A space illuminated in soft, warm tones sends out messages of comfort and welcome, while cool lighting can increase alertness and productivity. Natural light is vital for biological balance too, as it helps to regulate internal rhythms.

The answer to that is a very big “yes”. There’s a very close relationship between acoustics and mental health, especially in indoor environments, with acoustics directly influencing well-being and emotional balance. Get the interior acoustics wrong and people will suffer noise-induced stress and cognitive overload, finding it nigh-on impossible to relax. Getting the balance right means healthier and more mindful spaces that people actively enjoy.