27constrictive or oppressive, spacious or expansive, elevating
or uplifting. The > orientation through which a space turns
inward, outward, or towards a goal is often a component of
this gestural expression. In many cases, sensory qualities
shape atmospheric character through a synaesthetic transfer
into the spatial dimension, and a situation is perceived, for
example, as rough or frosty, shrill or muffled, stuffy or fresh.
Atmospheric qualities such as the melancholic, heroic, cosy
or festive do not express ostensibly spatial qualities, but are
characteristic of spatial situations in many instances. Through
the suggestive character of > appeals, which allow us to per-
ceive the atmosphere of a situation as inviting or seductive
or as repellent and hostile, we are directly influenced in our
behaviour, and a response is demanded of us. Appeals are re-
lated to the > invitation character through which a situation
prompts us to engage in a specific behaviour or action, such
as sitting down or falling silent. Through metaphors and pic-
torial or symbolic allusions, atmospheres become indirectly
animate. When, for example, the corresponding forms and
details summon a militaristic or countrified, a noble or unse-
rious impression, we sense the atmosphere immediately, with-
out having to interpret it in relation to a situation; things are
similar with the atmosphere of a geographic region, epoch or
stylistic tendency, or a milieu whose effect is exotic, Oriental,
medieval or Victorian. In many cases, the above-named cat-
egories are mixed, for example gestural and sensory qualities,
or a metaphor with specific moods.
Nearly all of the perceptible elements of architecture
participate in generating atmosphere. Alongside the location,
size and form of buildings and rooms, it is > surfaces that
have particularly powerful atmospheric effects. In architec-
ture, according to Gottfried Semper (1860–1863/2004), it is
the > coverings of spatial delimitations and decorative lay-
ers that shape ‘genuine atmosphere’. Through both sensuous
and associative effects, the contributing > materiality plays an
important role. Equally decisive atmospheric components are