There or not there? A multidisciplinary review and research agenda on the impact of transparent barriers on human perception, action, and social behavior

Gesine Marquardt, Emily S. Cross, Alexandra A. de Sousa, Eve Edelstein, Alessandro Farnè, Marcin Leszczynski, Miles Patterson, Susanne Quadflieg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
61 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Through advances in production and treatment technologies, transparent glass has become an increasingly versatile material and a global hallmark of modern architecture. In the shape of invisible barriers, it defines spaces while simultaneously shaping their lighting, noise, and climate conditions. Despite these unique architectural qualities, little is known regarding the human experience with glass barriers. Is a material that has been described as being simultaneously there and not there from an architectural perspective, actually there and/or not there from perceptual, behavioral, and social points of view? In this article, we review systematic observations and experimental studies that explore the impact of transparent barriers on human cognition and action. In doing so, the importance of empirical and multidisciplinary approaches to inform the use of glass in contemporary architecture is highlighted and key questions for future inquiry are identified.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1381
Pages (from-to)1-17
Number of pages17
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2020. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • extra-personal space
  • evidence-based design
  • translucency
  • transparency
  • multisensory integration

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