Crafting Experiences Across Time: From Ancient Origins to Modern Design

Abstract

This study examines the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as one of the ancient architectural wonders that embodies the early foundation of User Experience Design (UX Design) and Human-Centered Design (HCD) within the spiritual dimension of human civilization. The Hanging Gardens illustrate the principles of Design Thinking through empathy and human understanding, leading to innovative architectural and engineering solutions that fulfill both functional and emotional needs. Furthermore, the Gardens integrate Critical Thinking—as seen in their response to environmental and climatic constraints through advanced irrigation systems—and Creative Thinking through the imaginative fusion of nature and built structures, forming a “garden in the air” unprecedented in history. These conceptual foundations have been reinterpreted in modern architecture through the works of world-renowned architects such as Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid. Foster emphasizes sustainable, technology-driven environmental architecture, as seen in The Gherkin and Apple Park, while Hadid focuses on emotional and perceptual experiences through fluid, dynamic forms, as demonstrated in the Heydar Aliyev Center and Guangzhou Opera House. The findings reveal that both ancient and modern designs share a unifying principle: creating a sense of belonging and connection with nature through technology and design suitable for their respective eras. Moreover, these principles extend into the digital realm, as seen in user experience design tools like Adobe XD and Figma, which translate the conceptual essence of the Hanging Gardens into virtual experiential spaces. The study concludes that human-centered design thinking is not a modern invention but a timeless cultural and architectural legacy bridging the past, present, and future.