On the experience of the sublime in architectural atmospheres: a phenomenological inquiry

The concept of the sublime has inspired numerous philosophical inquiries throughout the evolution of aesthetic thought. This article examines the type of experience referenced by philosophers in their discussions surrounding the concept of the sublime. I thoroughly explore the experiential dimensions by analyzing the sublime from a psychological perspective anchored in phenomenology. More specifically, this research concentrates on the manner in which the sublime is perceived within architectural contexts. Through a phenomenological examination of architectural experiences depicted in esteemed literary works, I propose a comprehensive framework detailing the experiential manifestations of the sublime. Finally, I discuss the philosophical, aesthetic, and psychological implications of the sublime experience, as well as its intricate relationship with atmosphere.

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Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Psychology
Published
2025-11-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1588729
Primary Topic
Architecture, Modernity, and Design
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

On the experience of the sublime in architectural atmospheres: a phenomenological inquiry

Benedikte Kudahl
Frontiers in Psychology
Architecture, Modernity, and Design
article

On the experience of the sublime in architectural atmospheres: a phenomenological inquiry

Benedikte Kudahl
article en

Abstract

The concept of the sublime has inspired numerous philosophical inquiries throughout the evolution of aesthetic thought. This article examines the type of experience referenced by philosophers in their discussions surrounding the concept of the sublime. I thoroughly explore the experiential dimensions by analyzing the sublime from a psychological perspective anchored in phenomenology. More specifically, this research concentrates on the manner in which the sublime is perceived within architectural contexts. Through a phenomenological examination of architectural experiences depicted in esteemed literary works, I propose a comprehensive framework detailing the experiential manifestations of the sublime. Finally, I discuss the philosophical, aesthetic, and psychological implications of the sublime experience, as well as its intricate relationship with atmosphere.

Frontiers in PsychologyVol. 16
University of Copenhagen (DK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 66%
Architecture, Modernity, and Design
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