We spend our lives inside buildings, our thoughts shaped by their walls. Nevertheless, there’s surprisingly little research on the psychological implications of architecture. How do different spaces influence cognition? Is there an ideal kind of architectural structure for different kinds of thinking? In real life, research has shown a similar correlation between people’s experience in different building environments: buildings can greatly influence people’s moods, attitudes, and life styles.
Environment impacts the state of people’s mind and mood. The structure and layout of buildings has a profound impact on people. Building space has a specific impact on people’s life. What kind of living space will form the corresponding way of life. For example, one child grew up in a poor environment where space is small and there is no privacy, and the other child grew up in a beautiful environment with perfect functions and comfortable personal space. These two children will be different not only in their psychological health but also in their physical health.
Buildings change the relationship among people. In rural areas, buildings are closer. There is usually an open space for people to communicate and play together. Neighbors know each other. But in the city, buildings are independent units. The relationship among the neighbors is changed. People rarely communicate with neighbors and become indifferent.
The aesthetic elements of a building can also influence people. Among those are the amount of natural light, natural ventilation and the application of color. Natural light and natural ventilation bring people the breath of life in nature. The full use of natural light in reading and work environment can avoid the depression and claustrophobia caused by artificial illumination. Natural ventilation makes people being in nature and makes people feel fresh and pleasant. Many people claim that they work more efficiently and in a better mood when they are working in a building which has plenty of natural light and good natural ventilation. The application of color inside and outside the building has many features, such as showing atmosphere, decorating, distinguishing and displaying cultural significance. It has influence on people’s life.
The buildings in different cities have different styles of architecture. No matter what the style of architecture is, people’s lives are influenced by the style. For example, the buildings in Hong Kong are very tall and closer to each other, people there have fast pace of life and feel under great pressure. The buildings in New York City are similar to those in Hong Kong. In New York City, there are a lot of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Living in this kind of environment can be depressing. However, the buildings in San Francisco are totally different. Buildings are not very tall and they are far from each other. There is much space or distance between buildings. Living in San Francisco, people feel more relaxed and study and work at a slower pace.
Needless to say, we’re only beginning to grasp how the insides of buildings influence the inside of the mind. I find that the architecture of the city I am in effects my thinking and feelings. Does the architecture of your environment have any effect on you?
References:
Zifferblatt, Steven M. Architecture and human behavior: Toward increased understanding of a functional relationship. Educational Technology, August 1972. Evans, Gary W., Mitchell McCoy, Janetta. When buildings don’t work: The role of architecture in human health. Cornell University, Ithaca, U.S.A., April 2002. Ittelson,William H.; Proshansky, Harold M.; Rivlin, Leanne G.; Winkel, Gary H. An introduction to environmental psychology. Oxford, England: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 1974.
