Neuroarchitecture of aesthetic experience: Investigating brain oscillations for interior spaces with curved boundaries in virtual reality

This study takes an interdisciplinary approach to investigate interior space perception—environments where people spend much of their daily lives—by examining behavior and brain activity. Integrating psychology, neuroscience, and architecture, it explores three key components of aesthetic experience—familiarity, excitement, and fascination—within virtual reality (VR) environments. Using 32 virtual interior spaces with curved boundary types and varying architectural variables (size, light, texture, and color), 15 participants assessed aesthetic qualities while their brain activity was recorded via electroencephalography (EEG). Results reveal that alpha and beta oscillations play distinct roles in processing aesthetic judgments and architectural variables, while theta oscillations show no such differentiation. This study contributes to neuro-architecture by elucidating how architectural design influences aesthetic experiences, offering insights for creating more functional and emotionally resonant spaces.