Embodied Attention · Spatial Research
Spaces that engage
the body, not just the eye
the body, not just the eye
We apply embodied attention research to design immersive environments — spaces where light, proportion, texture, and sound guide the body before the mind catches up.
The Science
What is Embodied
Attention?
Attention?
Embodied attention is the way your whole body — not just your eyes — responds to a space. It encompasses how room proportions affect your breathing, how material textures shift your posture, and how acoustic qualities modulate your alertness.
Traditional design focuses on visual aesthetics alone. But neuroscience research shows that over 80% of our spatial experience is processed through non-visual channels: proprioception, thermal gradients, haptic feedback, and vestibular orientation.
For premium environments — where every detail matters — this means the difference between a space that photographs well and one that fundamentally transforms how people feel, think, and behave within it.
About the Studio
Research-Driven
Spatial Design.
Spatial Design.
Atelier α is a Tokyo–Zurich research studio. We specialise in embodied attention — the science of how built environments engage the entire body, not just the eye.
Our interdisciplinary team bridges architecture, neuroscience, and psychophysics to create spaces that are measurably more immersive for the people who inhabit them.
Our Services
01
Research & Spatial Audit
We assess your existing space through the lens of embodied attention — mapping sensory triggers, movement patterns, and psychophysiological responses to identify where the environment falls short.
02
Embodied Attention Framework
We develop a bespoke framework for your project: a science-backed blueprint that defines how light, proportion, materiality, acoustics, and thermal dynamics should interact to engage the body.
03
Design Recommendations
From circadian lighting specifications to acoustic envelopes and tactile material palettes, we translate research findings into precise, implementable design directives for your architectural team.
04
Implementation Support
We work alongside your architects and designers throughout the build, ensuring embodied attention principles survive the translation from concept to construction.
05
Post-Occupancy Evaluation
After completion, we measure real-world outcomes — occupant stress biomarkers, dwell-time patterns, and subjective well-being scores — to validate and refine the design.
Who We Serve
Premium Spaces,
Measured Impact
Measured Impact
Ultra-Luxury Real Estate Development
Elevating premium properties beyond visual aesthetics. We design homes that fundamentally shift how potential buyers feel the moment they walk through the door.
High-End Residential & Private Estates
Designing bespoke homes for discerning clients — spaces where proportion, light, and materiality work seamlessly with the body's natural responses to create an unparalleled sense of sanctuary.
Exclusive Penthouses & Turnkey Mansions
Creating signature environments that drive record-breaking valuations by mastering the unseen dimensions of luxury — acoustics, thermal gradients, and subconscious spatial flow.
Talent
The Team
Erina Shibagaki
Masters, University of Tokyo
Education
M.Arch / Yoshiyuki Kawazoe Lab / The University of Tokyo
B.Arch / Masahiro Harada Lab / Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo
Experience
KUME SEKKEI Co., Ltd — Architectural Designer
OÜ HG Arhitektuur, Tallinn, Estonia — internship
Kei Kaiho Architectural Design Office, Tokyo — part-time
Corals, Inc., NY, USA — part-time
Awards & Activities
Red Brick Graduation Design Award
Barrierless City Award & Competition
Campus Venture Grand Prix Tokyo 2022
GOOD DESIGN NEW HOPE AWARD 2024
EAST–EAST 5 (Lithuania) — Japan delegation member
Susana dos Santos
PhD Candidate, University of Tokyo
Education
PhD Candidate, The University of Tokyo, Japan
M.Sc. Architecture, FAAULP, PORTO
Experience
Architect, Atelier L'Agnès, Zurich, Switzerland (Independent)
Architect, Kräuchi Architekten BSA, Basel, Switzerland
Founder, COO, Mentes Flutuantes, Porto, Portugal
Grants, Awards, Activities
JST SPRING Program, The University of Tokyo — "Advanced Human Resource Development Leading Green Transformation (GX)" Project (2029)
International Competition Master Thesis, Social Innovation Award, Future Ideas, Netherlands
International Competition, Honorable Mention, Icarch, USA
Poster presentation, Arts Engagement and Aesthetic Experience – Bridging the Gap between Arts and Science, ETH, Ascona
Basilea, Performance with Isabel Lewis, ArtBasel, Basel
CONNECT WITH US
We welcome conversations about your space — no commitment required. Tell us about your project and we'll assess whether an embodied attention approach is the right fit.
Our team will provide an initial assessment, and if you'd like to proceed, a detailed proposal with transparent pricing.
All costs discussed upfront. Work begins only upon your approval.
Our team will provide an initial assessment, and if you'd like to proceed, a detailed proposal with transparent pricing.
All costs discussed upfront. Work begins only upon your approval.
How It Works
01
Describe Your Project
Tell us about your space, your goals, and the experience you want to create. No commitment — we'll assess whether embodied attention design is the right approach.
02
Receive an Assessment
Our team reviews your project and provides an initial embodied attention analysis with clear next steps and a tailored scope of work.
03
Review & Approve
We present a detailed proposal with transparent pricing. Work begins only after your approval.
04
Experience the Difference
From research through implementation, we guide the process to deliver a space that engages the body, not just the eye.
atelierα
Embodied attention research applied to spatial design.
© 2025 Atelier α. All rights reserved.
Designed and implemented by rewilt.com
Embodied Attention · Spatial Design