Modern homes, and in particular metropolitan areas, are increasingly associated as stressful, overwhelming or emotionally unbalancing. While interior design is commonly defined in terms of function and aesthetics, comparatively little attention has been directed at discussing the perceptive and emotional dimension of space. This research argues that the home works not only as a physical place but also as a regulatory environments that influence psychological safety. The study presents the idea of the Invisible Layer of the home ; the sensory and emotional aspect of the home that exists beyond its visible structure. Drawing on a Qualistic perspective influenced by Design Primario, the research reframes interior design as a practice of emotional calibration rather than decoration. To put this concept into practice, the study establishes an Emotional Architecture framework consisting of four emotional zones: Recovery, Regulation, Activation, and Social Connection. These zones are not tied to specific rooms; instead, they represent ongoing emotional states shaped by activities, time spent, and levels of sensory stimulation. The study also outlines twenty-four research-based design components grouped into six sensory categories: lighting, color, materials, shapes, scent and clutter. Each element is supported by research from environmental psychology and neuroscience, along with case studies that illustrate their practical spatial implementation. The main outcome of this research is the Psychological Safety Design Method (PSDM), a diagnostic and strategic framework that enables the mapping of emotional zones and the evaluation of the 24 elements as present, fragile, or absent. Through this process, the Invisible Layer becomes identifiable and adjustable, allowing targeted recalibration strategies that strengthen recovery and regulation within the home. By proposing a structured way to design what is not immediately visible, this research expands the role of interior design toward a regulatory practice centered on emotional well-being.
Le case moderne, e in particolare i contesti metropolitani, sono sempre più associate a stress, sovraccarico e squilibrio emotivo. Mentre l’interior design è comunemente definito in termini di funzione ed estetica, relativamente poca attenzione è stata dedicata alla dimensione percettiva ed emotiva dello spazio.Questa ricerca sostiene che la casa non sia solo un luogo fisico, ma anche un ambiente regolatore che influenza la sicurezza psicologica. Lo studio presenta l’idea dello Strato Invisibile della casa: l’aspetto sensoriale ed emotivo che esiste oltre la sua struttura visibile. Basandosi su una prospettiva Qualistica influenzata dal Design Primario, la ricerca ridefinisce l’interior design come una pratica di calibrazione emotiva piuttosto che di semplice decorazione. Per applicare questo concetto, lo studio propone un framework di Architettura Emotiva composto da quattro zone emotive: Recupero, Regolazione, Attivazione e Connessione Sociale. Queste zone non sono legate a stanze specifiche, ma rappresentano stati emotivi dinamici influenzati dalle attività, dal tempo trascorso e dai livelli di stimolazione sensoriale. La ricerca individua inoltre ventiquattro componenti progettuali basate su evidenze scientifiche, organizzate in sei categorie sensoriali: luce, colore, materiali, forme, profumo e disordine. Ogni elemento è supportato da studi di psicologia ambientale e neuroscienze, insieme a casi studio che ne illustrano l’applicazione pratica nello spazio. Il principale risultato della ricerca è il Psychological Safety Design Method (PSDM), un sistema diagnostico e strategico che permette di mappare le zone emotive e valutare i 24 elementi come presenti, fragili o assenti. Attraverso questo processo, lo Strato Invisibile diventa identificabile e modificabile, consentendo strategie mirate di ricalibrazione che rafforzano il recupero e la regolazione all’interno della casa. Proponendo un metodo strutturato per progettare ciò che non è immediatamente visibile, questa ricerca amplia il ruolo dell’interior design verso una pratica regolatrice centrata sul benessere emotivo.
Designing the invisible layer of the home: a method for enhancing psychological safety through emotional zoning
Longo E Silva, Victor Hugo
2024/2025
Abstract
Modern homes, and in particular metropolitan areas, are increasingly associated as stressful, overwhelming or emotionally unbalancing. While interior design is commonly defined in terms of function and aesthetics, comparatively little attention has been directed at discussing the perceptive and emotional dimension of space. This research argues that the home works not only as a physical place but also as a regulatory environments that influence psychological safety. The study presents the idea of the Invisible Layer of the home ; the sensory and emotional aspect of the home that exists beyond its visible structure. Drawing on a Qualistic perspective influenced by Design Primario, the research reframes interior design as a practice of emotional calibration rather than decoration. To put this concept into practice, the study establishes an Emotional Architecture framework consisting of four emotional zones: Recovery, Regulation, Activation, and Social Connection. These zones are not tied to specific rooms; instead, they represent ongoing emotional states shaped by activities, time spent, and levels of sensory stimulation. The study also outlines twenty-four research-based design components grouped into six sensory categories: lighting, color, materials, shapes, scent and clutter. Each element is supported by research from environmental psychology and neuroscience, along with case studies that illustrate their practical spatial implementation. The main outcome of this research is the Psychological Safety Design Method (PSDM), a diagnostic and strategic framework that enables the mapping of emotional zones and the evaluation of the 24 elements as present, fragile, or absent. Through this process, the Invisible Layer becomes identifiable and adjustable, allowing targeted recalibration strategies that strengthen recovery and regulation within the home. By proposing a structured way to design what is not immediately visible, this research expands the role of interior design toward a regulatory practice centered on emotional well-being.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2026_03_Longo e Silva.pdf
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Descrizione: Text of the Master’s thesis
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85.27 MB
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/253038