Sensory Site Analysis Mapping: Unveiling the User Experience.

Understanding user experience extends beyond visual aesthetics in the field of design. Designers are increasingly using a sensory approach, to genuinely attract and interest users. Using the harmonic interaction of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, I explored how the ancient Wymering Manor engages its people through a sensory site analysis mapping journey in this blog.

 

SIGHT

As the eyes travel around Wymering Manor's corridors and chambers, they are treated to a visual feast of architectural splendour and historical artefacts. A visual sensory site analysis would look into the delicate intricacies of the manor's construction, the play of light and shadow on old walls, and the visual storytelling woven into its historical tapestry. In Wymering you get to see people, colours, trees, ghost as they say, furniture, artefacts, Wymering itself and get to engage with them.

 

HEAR

When I closed my eyes, Wymering Manor tells me stories from the past. Analysing the auditory landscape reveals historical echoes in the acoustic spaces. The manor's soundtrack is a symphony of the past, enticing people to listen and immerse themselves in its rich narrative, from creaking floors to the delicate rustle of curtains to the sound of the wind, voices of people and vehicular noise.

 

TASTE

Though taste may appear unorthodox in site analysis, the metaphorical "taste" of Wymering Manor rests in savouring the ambiance of tradition. Consider the sensory diversity of events held within its walls, from traditional teas to historical dinners.

 

TOUCH

Every stone and item of furniture in Wymering Manor has been touched by time. A tactile sensory site analysis mapping would investigate the tactile experience of running hands over historic walls, feeling the grain of weathered wood, and tracing the texture of time imprinted on the manor's surfaces.

 

SMELL

The air conveys the scents of the past as I strolled around Wymering Manor. The mustiness of old books, the delicate perfume of polished wood, the vintage smell, and the lingering aroma of historic events all contribute to a unique olfactory experience. A sensory site analysis would look into how these scents contribute to the overall ambiance.

FIG 1: SENSORY MAP1

FIG 2: SENSORY MAP2

FIG 3: SENSORY MAP3

Wymering Manor exemplifies the importance of sensory experiences in historical locations. The layers of history embedded in its walls can be unravelled by measuring the interaction of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. A sensory site study provides a roadmap for conserving and expanding the immersive experience, ensuring that Wymering Manor's tale resonates with the senses and echoes through time.