My senses don’t lie: how spaces speak before words do

São Lázaro Municipal Library, the oldest in Lisbon

A Hidden Gem in Lisbon That Surprised My Senses

While researching places to visit in Lisbon, I came across a description of a hidden gem — a neoclassical library nearby. Photos online suggested something charming but old-fashioned: dusty interiors, faded wood, a certain mustiness.

I had expectations. But when I arrived, something shifted. My body reacted before my mind did. It reminded me: my senses don’t lie.

stair to "heaven"?

From Knowledge Hubs to Community Spaces

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate libraries beyond books. In Lisbon, I noticed how libraries are evolving. No longer just centers for study, they’re becoming community spaces, offering classes, language lessons, cultural events.

In fact, I took my Portuguese lessons in a library. I met people, shared stories — it became a part of my daily rhythm. Libraries today are about connection just as much as knowledge..

Art History and the Power of Space

Thanks to my background in art history, I’ve learned how physical space can evoke emotion.

At the University of Amsterdam, I spent countless hours in the library — not just studying, but simply being.Just like that old library in Lisbon, some spaces pull you in without effort.

They invite you to slow down. To reflect.

Sensory Overload: Why Some Spaces Feel Wrong

In a recent four-hour lecture — part of my ongoing study of neuro-architecture — we focused on how the five senses respond to built environments.

I realized something I’ve felt my whole life: Some spaces drain us. Others heal us.

Here’s where I can’t function well:

• Offices without natural light or plants

• Rooms with only artificial lighting (fluorescent, blue light)

• Workspaces with no room to retreat or breathe

• Environments full of noise pollution and light pollution

• Spaces with too many screens, blinking lights, or mechanical sounds

Most people feel the effect after the exposure. I feel it instantly — my nervous system picks it up.

Sensory Design Is Not a Trend — It’s a Need

We need silence like we need sleep or food. Not just for spiritual balance, but to let our brain recover from constant input.

Retail spaces often use sensory stimulation (scent, music, color) to trigger emotion and boost sales. But many work and learning spaces ignore how overwhelming stimuli can hurt focus and mental health.

This awareness is the foundation of my work as a sensory art therapist and space consultant.

The Lisbon Library That Got Everything Right

From the moment I entered that Lisbon library, my senses said:“You’re safe. You can rest here.”

• The gentle ticking of a clock filled the silence

• My steps creaked softly on the old wooden floor

• The light from the chandelier was warm and diffuse

• The smell of real wood grounded me instantly

  
  

I sat down on one of the wooden chairs and took a deep breath.No talking. No phone calls. No background music.Just calm.

The Science of Smell, Sound, and Stillness

In our sensory lecture, I learned that smell is our oldest sense. We have 450+ scent receptors, and each one connects directly to our emotional memory.

That’s why the scent of wood felt familiar. Safe. Soothing.

The repeated ticking of the clock — a rhythmic sensory input — had a meditative effect. These are the design elements that make a space feel good, even if you can’t explain why.

What designers and architects should know

Good space design is not just visual. It engages all the senses.

If you’re creating or curating a space, ask yourself:

• Is there natural material like wood, stone, or plants?

• Is the lighting soft, layered, and varied?

• Are there rhythmic or grounding sounds like water, ticking, or silence?

• Is there room for privacy or pause?

• Is the space free from unnecessary sensory clutter?

The Lisbon library reminded me: architecture can calm you. It can restore your nervous system. It can lift you — emotionally, mentally, even spiritually.

Final Thought: Trust What You Feel

Your senses are highly intelligent. They know what’s good for you long before your rational brain does.

So next time a space makes you feel tired, restless, or overwhelmed —pause.

Listen. Smell. Feel.

And remember: Your senses aren’t lying. They’re guiding you.