Have you ever paid attention to the environment around you and how it affects your behavior? From setting the alarm clock to opening our eyes to finally lying down on the sofa after a tiring day at work, the design of the spaces in our surroundings has a role in our lives, which is not only limited to sheltering us but also to being a silent teacher.
Architecture is not only the art of making buildings pretty; it is the use of science and art to shape our relationships with the environment. The relation between design and human behavior is, however, related to psychology, physiology, and sociology affairs that are important and yet can be overlooked in our everyday lives.
Morning Symphony: Where Ergonomics Meets Grogginess
The morning routine is a slightly clumsy one for most. However, architecture is involved in this process. Let’s talk about the bathroom, a place of personal hygiene and existential questions. A well-designed vanity area can make the difference between being able to brush your teeth in a state of relaxation or hitting your head on a low-hanging cabinet. A study conducted by Cornell University shows that ergonomic spaces can decrease physical stress by 25% so that mornings are not a fight and more like a walk.
It also helps that you have natural light access to your bedroom since this exposes you to daylight. The National Sleep Foundation states that exposure to daylight helps to regulate your circadian rhythm. A well-placed window is an efficient way of letting natural light bring you back to life. Also, poor lighting creates the feeling of being tired even at 9 a.m. as if one is a dried-up raisin. It is not only about looks; it is science.
Even the arrangement of your furniture influences how you navigate your morning routine. Keeping the environment clear and free of clutter and keeping what is necessary within arm’s reach can go a long way in minimizing the decision-making process. Believe it or not, this rather insignificant detail can have profound consequences on the way you approach the rest of your day.
The Breakfast Table: Design as a Stimulus for Connection
Now, picture breakfast. The kitchen, which is often considered as the primal part of a house, is a great example of practical design. Open-plan kitchens make sure that people interact, making breakfast time a social rather than a solitary activity. This is supported by a study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology, which pointed out that architectural features that facilitate interaction help to cultivate strong family bonds and even improve mental health.
Even the materials used in your kitchen affect your kitchen in some way. The cold finishes such as the marble countertops give a cool and clean impression to a room while the warm finishes such as the wood give a comfortable and grounding feel. It is not only a place where you prepare food but it is a place where the architecture of the union is manifested.
The arrangement of furniture in the dining room also matters in the whole process. For instance, circular tables aid in fostering individual contact and equal participation during meals, thus promoting a feeling of unity. On the other hand, long rectangular tables may lead to the formation of a hierarchy, thus shaping the interactions in a complex manner.
Workspaces: When Innovation Meets Office Space
The new normal of working from home has brought attention to the home office. Here, the ergonomic chair becomes a throne while the desk becomes a battlefield. As for the ventilation and natural light, the study conducted by Harvard’s Center for Workplace Health revealed that employees working in such an environment are 16% more productive. That corner in your living room that receives little light is not only ruining your mood but is also killing your productivity.
But let’s talk about the unsung hero of workspace design: ventilation. ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, has pointed out that proper air circulation can help reduce fatigue and increase alertness. It’s quite fascinating that the space you breathe in or out is part of your architecture.
Also, colour psychology is very important as it affects the working performance of the employees. It has been established that colours such as blue and green enhance concentration and creativity while neutral colours offer comfort. Combining these elements with adjustable furniture makes sure that the space accommodates you and not the other way around.
The Philosophy of Flow: How Environment Influences the Mood
Have you ever entered a room and got this strange feeling of relaxation? That is the phenomenon of spatial flow which is a theoretical perspective derived from architecture and psychology. In his book The Poetics of Space, the philosopher Gaston Bachelard states that our emotions are tied to the spaces that surround us. A home that has well-planned corridors from one room to another and well-thought-out plans not only improves functionality but feels better.
For instance, there are poorly designed spaces that feature sharp edges and awkwardly designed corridors. Such environments can raise the levels of stress as pointed out in a study published in Environment and Behavior. The lesson learned? It is therefore important to have flow, or the art of creating a narrative of a smooth and seamless day.
Evening Unwind: The Restorative Design
At the end of the day, the living room and bedroom become your sanctuary. Here, colour psychology comes into play as seen below. Blue and green colours have been found to lower heart rate and provide a sense of relaxation according to the Journal of Colour Research and Application. Add this with adjustable lighting and soft furniture and you have got the formula for relaxation.
Even the placement of furniture also affects how you will relax. A couch by the window allows for moments of contemplation while a couch that is facing the TV set makes the night into a movie marathon. It can be quite useful at times and the other and be quite harmful at other times, but the choice and its effects are ultimately our design.
Lighting is one of the most influential factors in these rooms as well. The change from bright overhead lights to the use of softer lights is like the change that occurs with daylight and is a signal to the body that it is time to unwind. This small aspect can help in the improvement of the quality of sleep in the long run.
Invisible Forces: Acoustics and Insulation
Another aspect of architecture is the absence of sound which also has an influence today. The physical design creates an echo chamber in your house and is full of chaos, while effective insulation creates areas of calm. According to the World Health Organization, noise pollution is dangerous because it can cause stress and even cardiovascular diseases. That means that your neighbor’s vacuum is not only an annoyance with that constant hum but detrimental to your health.
The Future is Design for Mental Health: A Silent Revolution.
The new branch of knowledge that deals with the effects of architectural design on the human mind and behavior is neuroarchitecture. Biophilic design, which is the incorporation of elements of nature like plants or water features has been known to lower cortisol levels and raise the level of happiness. A meta-analysis in Frontiers in Psychology has revealed that a single indoor plant can boost employees’ emotional well-being.
Also, spaces that are designed in a way that would make everyone feel comfortable- railings, broad doors, and signs with raised letters are examples of such spaces. It is not only design but the right design that should be implemented in society.
Technology also plays a part in this state of mental health architecture. Intelligent home systems can help set comforting light and temperature support, and thus improve and respond according to our well-being.
Living the Design
Great architecture and environment are like a good story; it has a beginning, middle, and end, and all these are well interconnected. It is the light that wakes you up in the morning, the chair that supports you during a stressful meeting, and the bed that whispers to you about sleep. The key to all this is not in the details of the design but in the thoughtful design that enhances one’s lifestyle.
Therefore, the next time you are lost in your day, remember the walls, the windows, and the things that control your life. All in all, architecture is not simply the art of constructing buildings, it is the process of creating better lives.
References:
Cornell University Study on Ergonomics:
Cornell University (n.d.) Ergonomics and design: Reducing strain in daily tasks. Available at: https://ergo.human.cornell.edu (Accessed: 28 December 2024).
National Sleep Foundation on Circadian Rhythm:
National Sleep Foundation (n.d.) How natural light affects sleep cycles. Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org (Accessed: 28 December 2024).
Journal of Environmental Psychology on Family Bonding:
Journal of Environmental Psychology (2012) ‘Impact of kitchen design on family interaction and mental health’, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 32(3), pp. 235–245.
Harvard Study on Workplace Productivity:
Harvard Center for Workplace Health (2019) ‘The role of ventilation and lighting in productivity’, Workplace Health Review, 15(2), pp. 112–120.
ASHRAE Guidelines on Ventilation:
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (2020) Ventilation standards and human alertness. Available at: https://www.ashrae.org (Accessed: 28 December 2024).
Bachelard\u2019s Philosophy of Space:
Bachelard, G. (1994) The poetics of space. Boston: Beacon Press.
Environment and Behavior Study on Stress and Space:
Environment and Behavior (2018) ‘The impact of poor spatial design on stress levels’, Environment and Behavior, 50(4), pp. 451–467.
Journal of Colour Research and Application on Relaxation:
Journal of Colour Research and Application (2016) ‘The effects of colour on relaxation and heart rate’, Journal of Colour Research and Application, 41(3), pp. 291–298.
WHO Guidelines on Noise Pollution:
World Health Organization (WHO) (2018) Environmental noise guidelines for the European region. Available at: https://www.who.int (Accessed: 28 December 2024).
Frontiers in Psychology on Biophilic Design:
Frontiers in Psychology (2021) ‘Biophilic design and mental health: A meta-analysis’, Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 678945.
