A comparative study of spatial animism in the theory of empathetic architecture and Christopher Alexander's self-mirror test

Emotional feedback or the possibility of emotional sharing with every phenomenon around a person can be an indicator his liveliness. The ability of humans to interact with their surroundings has always been of great importance because its realization increases the quality of human life. In Christopher Alexander's theories, the degree of aliveness of space and the perception of it through emotion is considered important. On the other hand, the animation of space is also discussed in the empathetic domain, and the function of the mirror neurons of the brain in architectural spaces and the ability of human beings to imagine vividness in relation to it, enables them share the emotion. Given the importance of living space and human interaction with it, this research seeks to find the differences and similarities of these two perspectives so that ultimately the conceptual and practical model derived from these two theories can help design living spaces. This research is qualitative and descriptive-analytical type, which compares these two attitudes by examining the main features of living space in Alexander's "Self-Mirror Test" and "Empathetic Architecture" through inductive reasoning and logical analysis. The findings show that a living space in empathy theory can reflect a range of good and bad feelings, but in the mirror self-test, spaces with good feelings are more alive and provide the quality of innate human presence. This research can assist in designing spaces that not only meet the practical needs of individuals but also take into account the emotional and affective aspects of their lives. Considering the emotional and experiential characteristics of space, the design of empathetic and vibrant environments can have more positive effects on human psychology.