Buildings, shapes, and spaces outline the city. It shapes what we think about cities. They have the ability and potential to change the whole vision and character of our lives. Architecture is not only about buildings; it’s a lot more than that. There’s always room for more. A single modification in a layout can be a step towards the advancement or downfall of our system. Architectural styles and values have evolved from prehistoric times to the modern era. Blueprints and the fabric of the city say consequentially about our lives. Architecture acts as a constructive communication means between emotions and spaces. Human emotions drive a human being to a great extent. A good, healthy physical environment leads to a robust and dynamic lifestyle. As the saying goes,
“Whatever good things we build end up building us” – Jim Rohn
Since its commencement, architecture has helped to improve the lives of people and even advance them. A study of the architectural styles of different ages enables us to make a fair estimate of human civilization, its needs, and the belief systems of its society. The preserved history of mankind channelled through historical monuments provides us with an overview of the nature of society, culture, and daily life. Humans are affected by what they build, which in turn influences them. Architecture and interior design affect a person’s health, psychological state, nature, decisions, mood, demeanour, and interactions with others.
Spaces play a role in human psychology. How? Living along the river banks surrounded by mother nature in a cosy family house contradicts the steel-like concrete structures and tall condos of major cities, where people are expected to study, work, and live in contentment. We start to get an idea of how our subconscious reacts to our environment. This is how profound the effect is. It’s the power of perceptibility and casting the correct pieces together in architecture that works wonders. The perceptivity of an architect hereby indirectly affects revitalizing the lives of people, which in turn affects human nature and behaviour. Fabricating a frame in the realm of the new modern era, constantly challenged by global problems and keeping in mind the nature of human beings, is a hard nut to crack. Paying heed to changes in demographics and growing lifestyles.
David Canter’s book “Psychology for Architects”, which was published in the 1970s, hatched the whole field of environmental psychology, as it was dedicated to understanding how people interact with the buildings and spaces around them. He studied how architecture and space play a role in human psychology. Psychology and architecture are inseparably bound together and are associated with every single thing. It is interesting to ascertain how certain elements and details can affect people’s perceptions of things. Countless research suggests that architecture affects human psychology through elements such as colour, shape, light, space, and form.
According to Collin Ellard, a neuroscientist and psychological researcher at the University of Waterloo in Canada, people are strongly influenced by building facades. If the façade is complex and interesting, it positively affects people; if the façade is monotonous and simple, it negatively affects them. His study showed that arousal and mood states dropped dramatically when subjects walked by whole foods in lower Manhattan with its long, smoked-glass frontage. Similarly, a VR study concluded that most people felt more comfortable in a rounded or curved-edged room compared with a sharply edged one, though design students in the study preferred the exact opposite.
Architecture is around us; it beautifies the earth with its intricate nature and design. We don’t define buildings; buildings define us. Architecture has become iconic in many countries. The spaces designed make you aware of the impact of the spaces you are in. When designing any space, the purpose of it, the surrounding neighbourhood, the time people will spend in it, and the atmosphere you want the space to evoke should all be taken into consideration. Green open spaces are more positive and inviting; on the other hand, closed or tight spaces have a more negative impact. According to research conducted in England in 2008, the health effects of inequality, which are associated with a greater risk of circulatory disease in low socio-economic areas, are less pronounced in greener areas.
Conclusion
We now know how buildings and spaces can affect our thoughts and emotions. Architecture brings us together. It’s a place for our family and us to be together. An environment that thrives on us being better every day. The emotions generated connect humans to these spaces. The sentimental connection created brings all of us together, no matter our age, gender, or religion. Creating a built environment is not only about four walls; it also involves building a space that satisfies physical and psychological needs. A space that is flexible enough to be personalized by different occupants, and the best way to achieve this in today’s complex environment is through more participation, cooperation, and understanding among designers and environmental psychologists.
Nowadays, everyone wants something rare. This driving notion of designing something unique and individual tends to override considerations of how it will shape the behaviours of those who will live with it. Liveliness, safety, sustainability, and health are the four essential pointers to successful planning. Only if you are happy at home will you be outside. As architects, we should aim to design constructive architecture to promote happier, more stable communities.
References:
- Olivia Heslinga (2020) How architecture affects human behavior [online] Available at: https://imotions.com/blog/how-architecture-affects-human-behavior/ [Accessed date: 16/02/2022].
- inspiration Tuts CAD (15th February 2021) How Does Architecture Affect Society? [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8cobrWTAms [Accessed date: 15/02/2022].
- Shivangi Vats (2017) Impact of Architecture on Human Psychology….[online] Available at: https://medium.com/@srkshivangi.01/impact-of-architecture-on-human-psychology-f0b637714603 [Accessed date: 16/02/2022].
