Empathy in Architecture: Designing Compassionate Spaces for People First Part 1 Dissertation 2020 Kirsten Adjei-Attah Coventry University | UK Empathy is a valuable quality required to accommodate needs effectively and achieve compassionate spaces for occupants. The thesis aims to highlight the importance of prioritising user experience and explores the role empathy within the context of architecture, the deterioration of its value in practice and seeking to identify explanations for why empathy is not communicated. Whilst this paper addresses explanations, it also seeks to provide solutions in how empathy is manifested in architecture, creating comfortable environments where people experience a sense of belonging and thrive. To understand its possible manifestation, the philosophical and psychological origins of empathy has been explored. Case studies such as the ‘Maggie Centres’ have been analysed to demonstrate the significance of architecture’s valuation of empathy and human-centrism is not unrealistic. Critics argue egocentric design is prevalent today which is perpetuating a culture of apathy in the profession. It explores the idea of ‘Aesthetic elitism’ and functionalist reductive attitudes in contemporary and modernist architecture and its role in diverting architecture from its intended purpose; to provide shelter and spaces for people/society. Tutor(s) Heather Bibbings