Mapping Ambiance : a synopsis of theory and practices in an interdisciplinary perspective

The research investigates the multidisciplinary nature of the ambiance notion and proposes a novel methodology to strengthen multidisciplinary collaborations. In particular, an ad hoc tool named ‘mapping ambiance’ based on semi‐structured interviews, was developed. A qualitative analytical method for studying and comparing results was implemented and applied to twenty cases. The process highlights common‐ alities and discrepancies of different international approaches by research‐ ers dealing with the notion of ambiance. This paper presents the research methodology and the outcomes of a case study application, as follows: (i) a methodological approach to investigate the ambiance from a multidiscipli‐ nary and comparable perspective; (ii) a first comprehensive interdisciplinary theoretical framework and a first collection of methodological procedures, based on interviews, to capture and represent the ambiance in different disciplines; (iii) an interactive platform that enables to depict and navigate the interviews contents and the outcomes of the qualitative analysis process.