The Winners!
SENSORY SPACES ESSAY 2024
First Prize Winners
Shreya Deb Roy
India
Shreya Deb Roy is an architect with a passion for exploring the intersection of design, culture, and storytelling. Growing up in an Army family, she had the opportunity to experience diverse regions and traditions, shaping her appreciation for thoughtful and context-sensitive design. Her academic and professional journey in architecture is complemented by a keen interest in writing, where she explores ideas, documents experiences, and reflects on the relationship between space and human emotions. This blend of design thinking and creative expression fuels her commitment to creating meaningful and impactful work.


Introduction
I am an architect with a passion for exploring the intersection of design, culture, and storytelling. Growing up in an Army family, I had the opportunity to experience diverse regions and traditions, which shaped my appreciation for thoughtful and context-sensitive design. My academic and professional journey in architecture has been complemented by a keen interest in writing, where I explore ideas, document experiences, and reflect on the relationship between space and human emotions. This blend of design thinking and creative expression drives my commitment to creating meaningful and impactful work.
My motivation to participate in the Sensory Space Essay Competition stems from my fascination with the relationship between architecture and human experience. Growing up, I had the opportunity to explore various architectural projects, one of the most impactful being my visit to a blind school. This experience profoundly influenced my perspective, as the design of the school emphasized the role of sensory engagement in shaping meaningful spaces. The competition provided a platform to reflect on such experiences and delve into the multi-sensory aspects of architecture.
Exploring Sensory Design
Could you summarize the key concept and ideas presented in your winning essay?
- Holistic Sensory Design:
Architects must move beyond visual aesthetics to create spaces that engage all five senses. This multisensory approach, encompassing sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste, enriches the human experience and fosters emotional and psychological well-being.
- Principles and Theories:
• Multisensory Integration emphasizes harmonious sensory interactions to create cohesive experiences.
• Sensory Balance ensures no sense overpowers another, maintaining comfort and harmony.
• Influential ideas like Juhani Pallasmaa’s tactile focus and Peter Zumthor’s emotive architecture guide such designs.
- Design Techniques and Applications:
Methods like sensory mapping, biophilic design, and the strategic use of light, sound, texture, and aroma enhance spatial experience. These techniques create environments tailored to specific emotions, functions, and user needs, as seen in case studies like the Blind School and Lotus Temple.
- Human Well-being and Emotional Impact:
Sensory design significantly influences stress reduction, relaxation, and productivity by addressing physical and emotional needs. Integrating biophilic and tactile elements or optimizing acoustics and lighting fosters better health and environmental connections.
- Inclusivity and Personalization:
Sensory spaces cater to diverse user preferences, ensuring accessibility and adaptability. Personalization options, such as adjustable lighting and climate control, empower users to tailor environments to their comfort, making spaces inclusive and user-centric.
Innovative Perspectives
The competition encouraged participants to reflect on the relationship between space and human senses. How does your essay challenge conventional architectural thinking and propose innovative approaches to sensory design?
My essay challenges traditional architecture by advocating for a multisensory design approach that engages all five senses. It emphasizes sensory balance, psychological well-being, and biophilic design, proposing environments that foster emotional connection, comfort, and inclusivity. This approach enhances human well-being and deepens the interaction with the built environment.
Human Experience and Well-Being
Sensory design holds the potential to enhance well-being and foster human connection. How does your essay contribute to the discourse on creating spaces that positively impact mental and emotional health?
My essay contributes to the discourse by highlighting how sensory design can enhance emotional and psychological well-being. It explores how elements like lighting, texture, sound, and scent can create environments that reduce stress, promote relaxation, and foster a deeper connection to space, ultimately improving mental health and comfort.
Process of Exploration:
Walk us through the journey of developing your essay. What was your approach, and how did you explore the themes of sensory architecture?
I approached the essay by exploring the connection between architecture and sensory experiences, emphasizing their impact on well-being. Drawing on psychological and environmental design theories, I integrated real-world examples, such as the Blind School and Lotus Temple, to showcase how sensory design enhances architectural spaces. I selected these examples based on my personal experiences, allowing me to articulate my ideas more effectively.
Community and Sensory Spaces:
How do you envision the principles of sensory design discussed in your essay benefiting communities and improving their quality of life?
The principles of sensory design discussed in my essay can greatly benefit communities by creating spaces that engage multiple senses, fostering a deeper connection with the environment. By integrating thoughtful elements like natural light, sound, texture, and scent, architectural spaces can enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve mental health. For example, therapeutic settings can promote relaxation, while workplaces can boost productivity. In public spaces, sensory design can create inclusive environments that cater to diverse needs. By promoting comfort and emotional resonance, sensory design has the potential to improve the overall quality of life, making spaces more engaging, accessible, and supportive.
Inspirations and Challenges
My inspiration to explore sensory spaces stemmed from my personal experiences with architecture, particularly during visits to the Blind School and Lotus Temple. Observing how spaces engage the senses beyond just sight sparked my curiosity. I was further influenced by architectural theorists like Juhani Pallasmaa and Peter Zumthor, whose ideas emphasized holistic design.
One challenge I faced was integrating complex theories from psychology and environmental design while maintaining clarity. To overcome this, I focused on using real-world examples to illustrate abstract concepts. This approach helped simplify the ideas and made the essay more relatable and engaging.
Reflections on Recognition
Winning the Sensory Space Essay Competition has profoundly impacted my perspective on architecture and design. It has reinforced my belief in the importance of creating spaces that engage all the senses to foster well-being and emotional connection. This recognition has encouraged me to further explore sensory design’s potential in my future work. It has also motivated me to continue integrating multidisciplinary knowledge, like psychology and environmental design, into architectural practice. I now feel even more driven to contribute to spaces that go beyond aesthetics, focusing on human experience, and to push boundaries in creating environments that truly support mental and emotional health.
Second Prize Winners
Chau Tran
U.K.
Chau Tran is a Vietnamese-born third-year undergraduate student at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, UK. She currently serves as the President of the architecture department society. Chau’s interest in architecture is deeply rooted in its cultural and humanitarian dimensions, focusing on how buildings can improve the world and enhance people’s lives. She is passionate about writing and reading architectural articles and actively follows emerging critics, aspiring to carve her own path as an architecture critic in the future.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Chau enjoys music, designing theatrical stages, and training students in public speaking. These activities not only enrich her global perspective but also equip her with diverse skills applicable to the multifaceted world of architecture.


Third Prize Winners
Shivani Shah, Shreya H.R & Vatsal Vora
India
Shivani Shah
Shivani Shah, Founder and CEO of Sensory ALL, is an architect and accessibility consultant pioneering sensory accessibility and inclusive design for neurodiverse individuals. Under her leadership, Sensory ALL has become India’s first social impact startup dedicated to this cause. Shivani is an India Inclusion Fellow (2024), IHE Delft Toilet Fellow (2022), and Anant Fellow (2020). She holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification from Cornell University. Recognized internationally, she won the Smart City Innovation Challenge (2022) by NIUA and the UN and presented autism-friendly design research at INCLUDE 2022, RCA London. Shivani has led projects like India’s first neurodiverse-friendly festival, Purple Fest 2024, and consulted on inclusive spaces such as Arunima Assisted Living in Dehradun and Autism Mitra in Bhopal. As a visiting faculty and workshop facilitator, she has taught universal design at institutions like Srishti Manipal and Navrachana University while training corporations like Microsoft and TCS.


Special mention
Honorable mention
Gurleen Kour
Vera Angelico
Jasmine Sebastian
Mirdhula M
Nita Sheikhi


Gurleen Kour
India
Gurleen Kour is a driven and creative 20-year-old pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture at Amity University Noida. With a keen eye for design and a passion for sustainable building practices, she consistently demonstrates a strong aptitude for architectural concepts and innovative solutions. Gurleen is particularly interested in urban planning and the integration of green spaces within urban environments. Beyond her academic pursuits, she enjoys exploring different art forms, including sketching and photography, which further enhance her artistic sensibilities. She is also an active member of the university's architectural society, participating in workshops and design competitions. With a dedication to both form and function, Gurleen aspires to contribute meaningfully to the field of architecture, creating spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible.


Vera Angelico
U.S.
Brazilian-born and New York City-based, Vera Lucia Angelico is an architect and installation artist whose journey explores the profound impact of artistic expressions on human experience. A transformative visit to Brasilia, Brazil’s capital, deepened her fascination with urban landscapes. Witnessing President Juscelino Kubitschek’s audacious vision and stepping into Oscar Niemeyer’s chapel, where stained glass cast mesmerizing shadows, left her in awe and solidified her path as an artist and architect.
Angelico’s work transforms light into tangible experiences that transcend the ordinary. Through an interplay of color, texture, and geometry, she reveals light as an emotional and spiritual presence, offering glimpses of the sacred. Her creations foster connection and wonder, dissolving boundaries between the visible and invisible.
Rooted in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness, Angelico continues to inspire globally, designing spaces that bridge art, architecture, and spirituality, and reimagining creative environments as catalysts for inclusivity and transcendence.


Jasmine Sebastian
India
Jasmine Sebastian is a third-year architecture student at the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, with a passion for designing spaces that engage users and tell compelling stories. She is currently the editorial co-head at her college and has gained editorial experience through an internship with Swayam Shikshan Prayog, an NGO.
In her two years at college, Jasmine has contributed as a content writer for 'Niche', the college magazine, and served as the editorial representative last year. Her love for personalized writing inspired her to start a blog, where she shares her thoughts, experiences, and reflections on life.
An avid painter, dancer, and sports enthusiast, who's trained in Bharatanatyam dancer with seven years of experience. Jasmine aspires to become an architect who makes a difference. She firmly believes in the transformative power of human connections and strives to design with empathy and purpose, bringing meaningful narratives to life through her work.


Mirdhula M
India
Mirdhula, a fourth-year architecture student, is a storyteller at heart with an affinity for speculative ideations and sensory-driven design. What began as a quiet love for journaling has blossomed into a pursuit of crafting narratives that intertwine memory, space, and emotion. Her work explores the poetics of architecture, envisioning spaces as lived experiences rather than mere physical forms.
When not sketching or conceptualizing spaces, Mirdhula enjoys exploring films, books, and visual languages, often weaving these influences into her projects. With an eye for detail and a mind brimming with ideas, and with a deep appreciation for storytelling's transformative power, Mirdhula’s writing reflects her dedication to understanding the profound connections between people and the environments they inhabit.
Nita Sheikhi
U.S.