Muuto_Catalog_2022

we create spaces and think
these are the most important,
but the reality is, in many ways,
that we still find ourselves most
authentically in nature
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Weaving natural elements into contemporary interiors
We know that looking at nature lowers our cortisol levels,
and it is still the natural environment that we feel the most
profoundly calm in. Therefore it is essential to consider the
many ways in which we can introduce this powerful concept
to our interiors.
susan — Acknowledging that we are deeply connected
and wired to the rhythm of nature, many human-built
environments are starting to bring in biophilic elements.
susan — When you come inside, in some ways, you’re
taking yourself out of the natural world that you were
born into. We create spaces and think these are the most
important, but the reality is, in many ways, that we still
find ourselves most authentically in nature.
For example, if you want to generate a feeling of healing
and restorative quality, explore biophilic design that
incorporates greenery as well as other natural elements and
materials into the built environment. This could be a piece
of furniture in warm oak wood, the use of earth tones, or
even the humidity of air flowing through a building.
Our inclination toward soft shapes
Research has shown that the smooth curves of modernist
sculptor Jean Arp produce a pleasant sensation in the beholder
– that we prefer rounded shapes to sharp angles.
In a similar manner our hands naturally envelop the rotund
shape of a cup or the arched frame of a chair.
susan — There are certain shapes we just gravitate
towards, like the shape of the cup, because our hands
have shaped it and they can embrace it, hold it. We have
so many millions of synapses and nerves in our hands
that connect to our brain and what feels intuitively right.
Honoring these physiologies is really when I think design
gets better. When we disregard them, it's also an aesthetic
experience - everything's aesthetic. But I think there's
a difference between what really moves you – peak aesthetic
experiences – and things that are simply utilitarian.
Embracing tactility
Of course, we not only perceive the world visually, but
also sensorily, among others through touch. Tactility, or
the haptic experience, is an essential part of the neuroaesthetic
perception of an object or space. Through our
hands, we can feel the essence of an object, deciphering
its materiality and how it was made – knowing through
our hands.
susan — Our skin is the biggest organ on our body
and it's so responsive. So you cannot underestimate what
texture does. We are not only about what something looks
like. You might be drawn to a certain kind of texture, and
how it feels when you are engaging with it is incredibly
powerful. It is much more powerful than seeing it.
Designing with intention
We have an incredible toolbox at our disposal, working
with color, light, objects, sound, scent, textures and more.
How we wield these all depends on our intention.
susan — The science that we're doing is informing
new ways of understanding how to use the same ingredients,
but use them in different or new ways for an end
purpose. I think we can get closer to understanding these
ingredients by marrying science and the arts together.•