You might say that when you step inside, you're entering a

Host: The room feels thoughtful, with the soft evening light casting a calm and reflective glow across the space. Outside, the world continues its usual rhythm, but inside, there’s a sense of anticipation, as if the conversation is about to delve into the deeper significance of experience and design. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, looking out at the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how much our surroundings influence how we feel or experience something? How the design of a space can shape our emotions, thoughts, and actions, even if we’re not consciously aware of it?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Design and experience? Yeah, it’s funny how architecture can affect us, but we often don’t notice it unless it’s something particularly striking. It’s more than just what a place looks like—it’s about how it feels to be in it. What made you think about it?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Thom Mayne said: ‘You might say that when you step inside, you're entering an honorific space, but that's something totally different than experiencing it. And in architecture, the experience comes first. That has the deepest effect on us.’ It made me reflect on how architecture isn’t just about creating beautiful structures—it’s about the experience of being in those spaces and how they make us feel.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that while we might acknowledge a space as being important or meaningful, it’s the experience of being inside it—how it impacts us, how it makes us feel—that really matters? That the emotional and sensory impact of the space is what defines its true value?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Mayne’s point is that architecture is more than just aesthetic—it’s about how we experience a space. The way a room, a building, or a city feels as we move through it has a deeper effect on us than the surface-level design. That’s what truly makes a space significant—the way it engages our senses and emotions, the impact it has on us as we interact with it.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, creating a subtle shift in the conversation about the deeper purpose of design and the power of experience. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper message behind Mayne’s statement. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels rooted in a more profound understanding of how design affects our experience.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. It’s not just about the external beauty or function of a space—it’s about how it makes us feel when we enter it, how it influences our mood, our actions, our sense of connection. It’s the experience of the space that leaves the lasting impression, not just how it looks.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. Spaces have the power to shape our thoughts and emotions in ways we often don’t realize. A well-designed space can uplift us, make us feel safe, inspired, or connected. That’s why experience is so central to architecture—it’s not just about creating something that looks good, but something that truly engages us on a deeper level.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as the idea sinks in) “It’s liberating, isn’t it? To realize that design isn’t just about appearance—it’s about the impact it has on us as we experience it. The true power of architecture lies in its ability to connect with us emotionally and intellectually.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. The best spaces are the ones that speak to us on a deeper level, that make us feel something, that transform how we move through the world. That’s the experience that stays with us long after we’ve left.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into a deeper appreciation for the role of experience in design. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on how architecture shapes our perceptions and emotions. Jeeny watches him, content in the realization that true design is about more than beauty—it’s about creating spaces that engage, inspire, and affect us on a deeper level. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that the experience of a space is what truly defines its impact on us.