AWARE: Architecture and Senses — Exploring How Space Shapes Emotion

From March 22nd to September 15th, the Danish Architecture Center hosts AWARE: Architecture and Senses, an immersive exhibition by Danish architecture and research studio 3XN GXN. Rather than showcasing a traditional portfolio, the exhibition invites visitors to explore six life-sized installations designed to engage both mind and body.

Through tactile and spatial experiences, AWARE explores how architectural design influences our senses, emotions, and behavior. Each installation highlights the dialogue between people and their environment — from how materials and light affect mood to how movement and structure create connection.

“Design choices are never solely about aesthetics – they profoundly shape our lives and impact our experiences,” explains Kim Herforth Nielsen, Founder and Creative Director of 3XN. “Architecture influences our behavior. Are we truly aware of how?”

Visitors encounter familiar architectural elements — such as staircases, timber, and organic forms — reimagined to emphasize their emotional and sensory impact. By transforming everyday components into interactive, experiential spaces, AWARE encourages reflection on how we perceive and inhabit architecture.

At the end of the exhibition, visitors can explore the research and design process behind the installations, supported by Arup. This behind-the-scenes section highlights the collaborative effort to design environments that enhance human well-being and minimize environmental impact — a vital challenge as urban populations continue to grow

“For spaces to endure and be cherished, we must grasp our connection to them,” says Nielsen. “We need to understand how they shape our emotions and behaviors.”

“AWARE: Architecture and Senses” ultimately challenges us to rethink architecture not as static form, but as a living, responsive medium that connects people, emotion, and the environment.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a designer shaping narratives through motion, graphics, and 3D form. His approach merges emotion and precision to craft timeless visual identities and experiences.