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
Luxury Hospitality & Wellness Resorts
Creating immersive guest experiences where every spatial detail — from lobby proportions to spa acoustics — is calibrated to engage embodied attention and elevate well-being.
High-End Residential & Private Estates
Designing homes that don't just look exceptional but feel fundamentally different — spaces where proportion, light, and materiality work with your body's natural responses.
Corporate Wellness Offices
Transforming workspaces into environments that measurably enhance focus, creativity, and employee well-being through evidence-based embodied attention design.
Our People
The Team
Erina Shibagaki
Born in Aichi, raised in Chiba, Japan (1998)
Education
2022 — B.Arch / Masahiro Harada Lab / Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo
2025 — M.Arch / Yoshiyuki Kawazoe Lab / The University of Tokyo, Tokyo
Experience
2022 — Corals, Inc., NY, USA — part-time
2022 — Kei Kaiho Architectural Design Office, Tokyo — part-time
2023 — OÜ HG Arhitektuur, Tallinn, Estonia — internship
2025– — KUME SEKKEI Co., Ltd — Architectural Designer
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, The University of Tokyo
Education
2025 — PhD Candidate, The University of Tokyo, Japan
2011 — M.Sc. Architecture, Lusíada University, Porto, Portugal. Thesis: The Light of the Shadow
Experience
2018–2024 — Architect, Atelier L'Agnès, Zurich, Switzerland (Independent)
2017 — Architect, Kräuchi Architekten BSA, Basel, Switzerland
2016 — Founder, COO, Mentes Flutuantes, Porto, Portugal
Grants & Awards
2025–2028 — JST SPRING Program, The University of Tokyo — "Advanced Human Resource Development Leading Green Transformation (GX)" Project
2013 — International Competition Master Thesis, Social Innovation Award, Future Ideas, Netherlands
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.
Embodied Attention · Spatial Design