Anchoring perception through tactile orientation

by Bouldin, David L.

ii The sense of touch concretizes our perception by adding a perceptual quality stronger than the other senses. This haptic dimension also encompasses a sense of orientation, balance, and movement in the spatial experience of architectural works. This important sense has been neglected and must be re-emphasized as a worthy architectural design goal. In urban settings, the other senses are bombarded with sensory input while tactility is often denied. Public libraries are in a position to serve the haptic dimension over the other senses because of the nature of their (dynamically changing) services. Special care must be taken to design a building that provides a sensory sanctuary and a gratifying haptic experience.