What is multisensory design and why it matters in modern architecture?

A reflection on design grounded in sensory experience and materiality, fundamental human needs in an increasingly digital world.

Multisensory design is an approach that creates spaces engaging all five senses, going beyond purely visual considerations to enhance the well-being of those who use them.

It addresses the human need for tactility, using surfaces and details to generate a holistic and memorable experience. The primary goal is to immerse occupants in a state of exceptional well-being, where every element – whether handcrafted or technological – contributes to evoking deep, lasting emotions.

Modern bathroom with geometric porcelain wall tiles in the shower area and neutral large format floor tiles. — Grace Ivory

How multisensory design is applied in interior design

To shape the atmosphere of both commercial and residential spaces, multisensory design operates on multiple perceptual levels. Here’s how each sense can be deliberately engaged through specific architectural choices:

Touch (texture and materiality): the dominant sense in this approach. The use of tactile surfaces such as raw wood, polished stone, or soft fabrics like velvet and wool, invites physical contact and evokes immediate feelings of warmth and comfort.
Sight (light and color): beyond aesthetics, light plays both a functional and emotional role. Warm, soft lighting creates intimacy, while the strategic use of color can “switch on or off” specific emotions.
Hearing (acoustics): acoustic comfort is essential for well-being. Incorporating sound-absorbing materials on walls and ceilings reduces noise pollution in open-plan spaces and fosters a sense of privacy in public areas.
Smell (olfactory design): closely tied to memory, scent is strategically employed in hotels and spas through ambient fragrances (such as cedar, lavender, or citrus) to strengthen the lasting impression of the experience.

Why choose porcelain stoneware for a multi-sensory design project?

Ceramics and next-generation porcelain stoneware are key materials in multisensory design because they combine technical performance with an aesthetic that evokes tradition and tactile richness.

Thanks to its versatility, porcelain stoneware transforms surfaces from mere decorative elements into fully functional sensory interfaces. It can faithfully replicate natural materials, offering the tactile experience of wood, stone, and other textures, while delivering superior technical performance.

Which Keope collections are ideal for tactile design?

Ceramiche Keope offers collections developed with advanced technologies that integrate seamlessly into multisensory design contexts, highlighting the connection between nature and technology.

Flower shop with wood look porcelain floor tiles and terrazzo wall tiles surrounded by plants and flowers. — Unica Grey

Collezione Unica: oak wood effect

This collection is designed to capture the ancestral spirit of Italian forests, combining aesthetics with functionality.

Concept: meticulous reproduction of oak wood planks, including the natural imperfections that make each piece unique.
Sensory Experience: it evokes the feeling of walking on and living with real wood flooring, bringing warmth and elegance to any space.
Technical specifications: available in six colors and three formats, including the new 20x180 cm size.

Outdoor patio with dark lava stone look porcelain floor and wall tiles surrounded by garden greenery and modern furniture. — Lavica Anthracite

Collezione Lavica: volcanic stone effect

Lavica channels the raw magnetism of nature into contemporary design, offering a bold, tactile mood, truly “volcanic”.

Concept: sophisticated texture with deep, intense shades ranging from gray to black and anthracite.
Acknowledgements: the Lavica Anthracite finish won the prestigious Archiproducts Design Award in the finishes category, affirming its excellence in redefining both the aesthetics and emotional impact of surfaces.
Applications: perfect for residential and contract spaces that demand a strong personality and a seamless balance of performance and design.

Multisensory design represents one of the most exciting frontiers in contemporary architecture and interior design. Porcelain stoneware has evolved to become an key player in this field.

Even in projects that embrace multisensory design, choosing porcelain stoneware means selecting surfaces that stimulate touch, not just sight. These collections faithfully reproduce the texture of stone or concrete while providing unmatched technical performance, something natural materials alone cannot guarantee.

Discover more about Ceramiche Keope’s collections