Lessons from Biophilic Design: Rethinking Affective Interaction Design in Built Environments

The perspectives of affective interaction in built environments are largely overlooked and instead dominated by affective computing approaches that view emotions as "static", computable states to be detected and regulated. To address this limitation, we interviewed architects to explore how biophilic design -- our deep-rooted emotional connection with nature -- could shape affective interaction design in smart buildings. Our findings reveal that natural environments facilitate self-directed emotional experiences through spatial diversity, embodied friction, and porous sensory exchanges. Based on this, we introduce three design principles for discussion at the Affective Interaction workshop: (1) Diversity of Spatial Experiences, (2) Self-Reflection Through Complexity & Friction, and (3) Permeability & Sensory Exchange with the Outside World, while also examining the challenges of integrating these perspectives into built environments.