ARCHITECTURE INFLUENCING THE PSYCHE . (Pt.1)

 

                                        

We spend 80–90% of our lives indoors, surrounded by forms, artificial light, colors, furniture and soundscapes. Isn’t it time to ask how much these built environments affect our lives and our personality? In this series, we explore questions about how architecture affects our thinking, our cognitive abilities, our mental and physical well-being, and our emotions.

A relatively new field of research, namely “architectural psychology”, has been intensively dealing with such questions for several years. The aim of this academic field is to explore the impacts of architecture on humans, their feelings and behavior, and to formulate recommendations for the planning and design of buildings. This research area poses questions about the effect of outdoor and indoor spaces on people in cognitive, emotional and social terms? How can homes, offices and buildings in general be designed and structured, so that they reduce stress or promote well-being?

HEALTH

"nobody can escape architecture & it's effects"

                                                                                   - Guntel Herter

Deinsberger-Deinsberger, is convinced that ill-conceived and inferior architecture, combined with other factors, can promote stress, encourage exhaustion, induce psychosomatic symptoms and even promote physical discomfort. As a rule, these effects are not immediately apparent, but often appear after a period of months or years. This allows for the reverse conclusion that spaces can also support healing processes and promote well-being.

SENSES & NERVES

In order to feel comfortable in an environment, does not only require a pleasant indoor climate. Light, plants, materials, construction methods, temperature, and air conditions also play a role for well-being and health. We have to bear in mind that humans have a holistic perception: Our senses influence our thinking, feelings and actions and therefore our entire body. If our senses are positively stimulated, this can have an invigorating or calming effect. As a result, spaces can influence our thinking, action patterns and, thus for example, promote motivation, our readiness to act, and strengthen our performance or concentration. If we feel uncomfortable in spaces, this can lead to restlessness or discomfort, hypersensitivity or even anxiety.