Haptic Design in Architecture and Product Design

If biology classes ever taught us one thing, it's that we, as humans, have five different senses. These are sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. In architecture and design, our ability to see often dominates, shaping how we judge whether the design is beautiful or not. But what about the other senses? Most of the time, we, as designers, overlook the power of touch, a sense that potentially would help us create more engaging experiences.

Haptic design is a term that incorporates design practices that enhance spatial awareness and/or engage users through material, texture, or tactile interaction with a product or environment. It is a way of designing that can utilize materials, surfaces, textures, features, and feedback to achieve immersive experiences. With the development of Extended Reality technologies, haptic design is becoming more and more trendy. It makes both physical and virtual products and spaces more intriguing. 

Although haptic design is often considered as a merely touch-driven approach like tactile design, it actually encompasses a broader sensory experience, including movement, force, material, and spatial awareness. Let me give you some examples to clear that up.

For instance, in architecture, feeling the roughness or smoothness of a floor is a tactile experience. However, adjusting your steps according to the sensation of the floor to create balance is the haptic and proprioceptive response. While tactile design focuses on the surface sensation of touch, haptic design is about how the body perceives and interacts with space.

Now that we’ve clarified what haptic design really means let’s explore 10 real-world examples that highlight how haptic design is applied in both architecture and product design. These examples showcase different aspects of haptic engagement, from material choices to spatial interaction and even digital feedback.

1. Articulated Cloud at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum

Koning Eizenberg Architecture and Ned Khan have done an outstanding job with the façade of the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. The massive aluminum frame suddenly feels lighter, with the white plastic pieces creating another layer of sky. The design itself is described as a digitized cloud because of the shimmering effect that is being performed with the movement of the pieces. This effect evokes a sensation of touch. The interaction between architecture and nature enhances spatial awareness and makes the building feel alive, which is a haptic design.  

2. Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park

Two 50-foot glass structures facing each other. This city landmark consists of LED screens showing images, videos, and light effects, as well as the faces of residents. There is a 1/8th of an inch deep lake between two structures that invite everybody to jump in. At about every five minutes, the water streams from the mouths of the faces displayed, creating a playful atmosphere. Most people want to touch the water and freshen up! And that is how the haptic design stirs you up. Shout out to the artists Jaume Plensa and Krueck Sexton Architects.

3. The Blur Building

The Blur Building was built for the Swiss National Exposition in 2002 by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. It was designed to criticize a society obsessed with visual stimulation and appraising consumer satisfaction through pixels per inch, where high definition had become the new orthodoxy. This means that while the high definition became the new standard, Blur’s building’s atomized water environment embraced the low definition. The building engages with the user beyond sight, inviting them to feel and touch the misty environment- even drinking the evaporated lake water. This shift from visual stimulation to tactile experience is a solid example of haptic design. 

4. The Therme Vals 

Designed by Peter Zumthor, who famously said, ‘My buildings should have an emotional core’ and ‘Architecture is about creating atmospheres that touch all the senses.’ This thermal spa offers seven different pools, ranging from 14 to 42 °C. They are all differently sized and have distinct soundscapes and scents, creating a full sentimental experience. The contrast between cold stones and hot water creates a distinguished tactile experience. 

5. The Sensory Rooms by Snoezelen

The Sensory Rooms, designed and developed for therapeutic purposes for processing disorders, autism, or cognitive inefficiency, are a point example of haptic design in healthcare. These multisensory rooms are filled with tactile elements such as textured walls, soft fabrics, and interactive panels that invite users to touch and explore. These rooms create a safe space for children and adults to engage with their environments with comfort. The calming effect of these multisensory environments makes them a valuable tool for improving emotional well-being. 

6. Sony DualSense Controller

Sony’s DualSense Controller is a successful haptic design example in product design. We wouldn’t be exaggerating if we said that this controller was designed to make the user feel every bump on the road, the feeling of walking on the sand, or the tension of a bowstring. The controller gives haptic feedback and triggers to ensure that you are having the best gaming experience. This level of haptic engagement turns gaming into a rich, sensational experience.

7. Apple’s Taptic Engine in iPhones

Apple users here, raise your hands! I know there are a lot of us. One of my favorite haptic responses I receive when I use my iPhone is while creating a new, stunning sticker out of my favorite pictures by long-pressing onto it... You know that subtle vibration, right?  

Apple’s Taptic Engine is a prime example of haptic design in product design. This engine responds to user interaction with precise vibration, enhancing engagement between digital interfaces and the sense of touch. Haptics are designed to complement visual and auditory feedback and ultimately achieve more natural interaction. Apple’s Taptic Engine provides consistent and intuitive feedback. Also, users can deactivate the haptic feedback if they desire.

8. Tesla’s Steering Yoke (or Steering Wheel)

Tesla’s steering wheel features haptic feedback for turn signals, providing a subtle vibration when used. Replacing traditional buttons with pressure-sensitive touch controls can be a contradictory topic. Some users believe that the feedback is too subtle to feel, and others find it less distractive and more user-friendly. It is a good example of haptic design in the automotive sector.

9. bHaptics TactSuit Pro

The TactSuit Pro by bHaptics is an example of haptic design in wearable technologies. As extended reality technologies develop, the suits should also keep up. With 40 vibration points spread across the torso, arms, and legs, the suit translates in-game actions into tactile feedback, creating a deeply engaging and sensory-rich experience. Whether you’re dodging bullets, feeling the rumble of a car engine, or sensing the footsteps of an approaching enemy, the TactSuit Pro brings virtual worlds to life through touch. It’s a perfect example of how haptic design can enhance immersion, making digital experiences feel more real and tangible.

10. Ultraleap’s Mid-Air Haptic Technology

Remember, at the beginning of this article, I mentioned the sense of touch. Well, haptic design is evolving beyond the real touch. That’s why I kept this example to the last! Do not go crazy, but Ultraleap’s mid-air haptic technologies use ultrasonic waves, and this way, they create tactile sensations in mid-air, allowing users to “feel” virtual objects without any physical contact. Imagine interacting with a screenless interface where buttons and sliders exist only as invisible forces under your fingertips. The future seems to be untouchable yet hysterical. 

In conclusion, haptic design is more than just a trend. It is proof of how the sense of touch can elevate the design outcome. Haptic design is not merely about feeling a texture in your hands; it is about creating an emotional connection, enhancing usability, and making experiences more memorable. It is a broader concept and awareness that will make you appreciate the power of touch next time you walk on a textured floor or feel a subtle vibration on your phone. 

If you want to explore the haptic and multi-sensory design world, you can enroll in our PAACEDEMY courses like Dynamic Facades, Transforming Architecture, or Fusing Realities. These courses will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create immersive, tactile experiences that resonate with users on a deeper level. See you at the workshop!