The Whare in the Urban Bush

This thesis explores the concept of atmospheric detailing in architecture, examining how specific design elements can influence our sensory and emotional experiences within the built environment. Atmospheric detailing refers to the careful selection and manipulation of materials, textures, lighting, and form to evoke particular moods and atmospheres. Through a combination of theoretical analysis, case studies, and design experiments, this research analyzes the role atmospheric detailing plays in architecture. The investigation focuses on how architectural details contribute to atmospheric qualities, seeking to understand their eventual impact on atmospheric perception. This is finally tested in the design of the atmosphere of a backcountry hut in urban context. By developing a framework for atmospheric detailing, this thesis aims to provide architects and designers with not only practical guidelines for detailing spaces that exude specific atmosphere/s, but also an ontology from which further details might be atmospherically deconstructed, measured and classified. The findings of this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of how atmosphere can be intentionally crafted through detailing, emphasizing the importance of tuning architectural space in shaping our atmospheric perception.