The Project and Representation of Emotions in Inhabited Space

This paper analyses the role of atmospheric representation in architecture, focusing in particular on the use of collage as an expressive tool to evoke the emotional and immaterial dimension of environments. Beginning with a theoretical reflection on architectural atmospheres and their perceptual construction, the paper explores how various architects and designers have utilised collage to represent spaces and experiences. Through historical and contemporary case studies, this study highlights how collage can transcend the limitations of photorealistic rendering, enabling greater expressive and imaginative freedom. Furthermore, the paper presents two educational experiences conducted at ESAD in Matosinhos and the University of Palermo, where collage was employed as a tool to foster students’ critical awareness of the atmospheric quality of designed spaces. The outcomes demonstrate that the visual representation of architectural atmospheres not only enriches the creative process but also translates the emotional experience of inhabiting into visual images. Collage is thus identified as a pivotal instrument in the design and communication of contemporary architecture.