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In Brief
- Architects have long intuited that the places we inhabit can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Now behavioral scientists are giving their hunches an empirical basis.
- Scientists are unearthing tantalizing clues about how to design spaces that promote creativity, keep students focused and alert, and lead to relaxation and social intimacy. The results inform architectural and design decisions such as the height of ceilings, the view from windows, the shape of furniture, and the type and intensity of lighting.
- Such efforts are leading to cutting-edge projects such as residences for seniors with dementia in which the building itself is part of the treatment.
In the 1950s prizewinning biologist and doctor Jonas Salk was working on a cure for polio in a dark basement laboratory in Pittsburgh. Progress was slow, so to clear his head, Salk traveled to Assisi, Italy, where he spent time in a 13th-century monastery, ambling amid its columns and cloistered courtyards. Suddenly, Salk found himself awash in new insights, including the one that would lead to his successful polio vaccine. Salk was convinced he had drawn his inspiration from the contemplative setting. He came to believe so strongly in architecture’s ability to influence the mind that he teamed up with renowned architect Louis Kahn to build the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif., as a scientific facility that would stimulate breakthroughs and encourage creativity.
Architects have long intuited that the places we inhabit can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. But now, half a century after Salk’s inspiring excursion, behavioral scien-tists are giving these hunches an empirical basis. They are unearthing tantalizing clues about how to design spaces that promote creativity, keep students focused and alert, and lead to relaxation and social intimacy. Institutions such as the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture in San Diego are encouraging interdisciplinary research into how a planned environment influences the mind, and some architecture schools are now offering classes in introductory neuroscience.
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41 Comments
Add CommentWell I started off thinking this was all just Feng Shui revisited but there's actually a surprising amount of detailed work here, and in several categories. Nice job, guys.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI always felt comfortable in a tavern with dark wood and minimal lighting; a diner or restaurant with bright lights and white walls is disconcerting.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWow, lot of work here. Nice post. But I agree with Jim, I feel comfortable in a tavern :).http://twitter.com/ESS_BILBAO
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI can't wait to tell my boss that I'm gazing out the window, not to daydream, but to improve my focus!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI read a good book called "A Pattern Language" re this. The lesson is that a lot of the old fashioned patterns are good. The sterile modern environment is anti-human. Most modern art and architecture sucks for that reason.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI had a good first hand anecdotal brush with this topic a couple of years back. My wife and I were on a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water" home. On reaching the master bedroom, half of the tour headed straight for the balcony without looking to either side or paying any attention to the room they were in. They stopped themselves and apologized to the tour guide who laughed and said "that happens on every tour, and there's a reason for that. This room is specifically designed to draw you out to the balcony. You did exactly as you were supposed to do."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThroughout the rest of the tour, I learned he had built even more such behavior influencing "tricks" into the building and was even more in awe of his talents than before arriving.
I'm a Color Designer who specializes in Color and the Human Response. It is scientifically proven (as shown in this article) that light, color, and natural materials all have a positive effect on the human psyche. Humane Design is centered around those inhabiting the space rather than the latest arbitrary design trends. The moment you walk into a space that is designed keeping these elements in mind, you immediately FEEL the difference. Thank you for sharing the science behind this effect.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMary-Frances Cimo
Las Vegas, NV
Are there any good books out there you could suggest to help one design their home with these principles in mind?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisColor - Communication in Architectural Space by Frank Mahnke is a good introduction to principles of color and the human response. It is not specifically for homes, but the ideas apply. Natural light is an important element. Use full spectrum lighting, LEDs and halogen lighting to enhance your mood. People have many color associations - positive and negative - as well, so it is a unique experience to each individual. Look to nature for cues. There are few straight lines and angles in the natural world.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthis article is an excellent piece of dissemination of built environment research, however, it barely touches the efforts that environmental psychology has put forward for over 30 years. at the top of my mind come "the journal of environmental psychology" and "environment and behaviour" which deal with a plethora of issues intrinsic to this post. it would be nice to see an acknowledgement of the combination of architecture and psychology in future articles, otherwise the communication of social research will only be one-sided.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisjust a thought!
As I move from my desk to the semi circle bench, I ask the teacher; Can one use a HD Television displaying a nature scene to simulate the effects that nature has on ones psyche?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm very glad to see some coverage of the recent upsurge in creative approaches to experience based design. In our laboratory at the University of Waterloo (The Research Laboratory for Immersive Virtual Environments) we study, among other things, the responses of visitors to digital versions of house designs, including those by Frank Lloyd Wright and Sarah Susanka (who is a collaborator). Some of this work, and the historical background, is covered in my book "Where Am I?" which has just come out in Canada. There will be a version in the US, released in July, called "You are Here" (yes, I know that's kind of funny...) and published by Random House.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisColin Ellard
we did feel nervous and anxious when the room we stay is small and low in height, I feel uneasy when I'm taking a test in a room whose ceiling is just one palm out of my reach.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere was actually a research study conducted along those lines. People's work performance improved when nature posters were placed around the room. The brain wants what it wants.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt is not modern architecture thats the problem its the modern client who often arent the end user of the build and so human comfort is not considered, as cost is often the primary issue. The problem is caused by the diminishing role of the architect in the design and construction of buildings, which means there is less time to research the needs of the building users. If you look at the work of Alva Aalto or Louis Khan you can see that these issue have been understood for years and in many way the early modern movements aims where for more human not less human building. As for modern art thats often more human than the old master being as it is often based on your emotional response to the piece its self rather than to an event or powerful person and tailored to there bias.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs your article mentions, Architects have been doing this for centuries. From the Egyptian pyramids (don't they make you feel insiginfant) to neighbourhood pups (ah!comfort), Architecture has always been a matter of playing with people's minds.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPaul Ledaire, Architect, AAA, MRAIC
Okay, like one out of twenty males of our species, I am color-blind (red/green in my case). Since the very concept of colors "going together" is basically meaningless to me, how does this apply to me?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI work in an office space I designed and built myself. It consists of a rectangular room in my basement--hence no windows. It is lined with light wood-grained paneling, and decorated (sort of) with white bookshelves and trim. Everything in here, with a few minor exceptions, was either made or modified by me. My mood upon entering is sort of "coming home." Your comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Color and the Human Response is a totally new concept to me.
This matter, as seen from an architects perspective, has been overlooked by the profession as a whole for many years. Efforts such as those made by Amos Rappaport or Donald Appleyard have been around for more than 25 years and have left little if any ripples in the sea that is architecture as an ongoing endeavor.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisArticles such as this one may rekindle interest in a matter that will become more relevant each day. The problem of institutions where the occupants have little if any say in either modifying it or leaving it, such as prisons, orphanages, retirement homes, hospices, or any other therapeutic environments has been set aside for much too long.
My master's thesis, submitted in 1980 was titled Architecture and Behavior, a design protocol proposal that used a new intake center for juvenile offendors as the experimental design subject. After having examined all 11 such facilities in my state, made POE's, set up a matrix and prepared two design proposals, together with the protocol and a glossary, the study was not even photocopied by local authorities at the time and remains a curiosity to this day.
The research is being made, yet until it is incorporated into the mainstream of architectural practice or is demanded by potential clients it will remain untouched. We can only wish it will follow 'sustainability'and 'LEED' certification as a ongoing concern in our profession
This is a fascinating area and I think often overlooked, or at least not as valued as it might be. Perhaps this is because it is often difficult to quantify some of these effects, but also because there are so many variables to take account of. What is also interesting is that if you look back over architectural history many of the great architects of the 20th century (and indeed those from much earlier too) such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe and of course Louis Kahn, who is referred to in this article, intuitively understood these ideas especially about light, views and room height and so on. A while ago I was working with a researcher, who interestingly is both an architect and psychologist. He told me that in one of his research projects they looked at how the design of hospital affected patient recovery. By measuring patient recovery rates and relating these to design variables in patient wards they found that a view out of the window had a significant beneficial effect on patient recovery. We at the OECD Centre for Effective Learning Environments are trying to gather more hard evidence on just these connections in school and higher education environments.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGreat piece of work!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs already stated there is enough work done out there for all to see, but the problem does not lay with the architects but with the public and town planners who do not allow for individuality,
Its time for a wake up call to all in building design, they all seem bent on greed and an easy life rather than creating buildings for the ordinary citizens to enjoy to live in.
Place, color, orientation, layout and shape are critical, and it is not just the super rich that will benefit, the poor and the environment will all benefit from self sustaining,airy,healthy accommodation for all aspects of work and play.
The role of noise as an integral part of the wellbeing of peoples ability to feel good and in the right mood for the occasion ,work,play,sleep,and thinking.
So we need to explore soundproofing ,echoes, background sounds and frequencies.
We need more practical ideas in all areas of building design and layout; maybe as a part of health and safety requirements of building design.
yes ,sure a Turkish desig company that name is DERIN .I advice you to look at net
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHi....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisas per the knowledge passed down in the ancient texts of India...the subject is extremely well documented and classified as "Vastu Shastra" for those inclined towards this i would suggest googling it and looking at some of the details. There are unfortunately not too many people who take the science as seriously as it should be taken. Personally I have benefited a lot by making use of some its lessons in my life and incorporated some changes in my own house that proved to be beneficial.
I've suspicion that the ancient art of Feung Shui is related to some of these findings.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisgalaxy-man--
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI just made the same connection but before I came across you post. great minds etc....
One of the points made here is that, for classroom design, "semi-circle" designs foster interaction and another study shows rows foster better behavior and independent learning. Note how most classrooms are in rows whereas most new educational research suggests learning is better when there is more interaction among peers and with the instructor
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe Chinese have known about these principals for hundreds of years, its called Feng Shui.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy did Salk not win the Noble Prize for his work on Polio?
If architectural designs can influence your moods ,is it not possible that combination of different colors in a particular room can also influence your behaviour and moods.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe concept of Fung Shui has crept into the American consciousness and vocabulary, and now we have a discipline of environmentoal psychology. It should be noted that this tradition also exists in the Western architectural schools although it was done more by instinct and insight than by evoking a specific discipline or ancient Eastern approach.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI recently spoke with a traditional architect a generation older than I am, and he talked about a house remodel. There was a large room that was used for entertaining but people never stayed in it for longer than 5 minutes. He immediately identified that the ceiling height and colors made the room oppressive and uncomfortable and incorporated his insights into the remodel. Teh result was a huge room that was intimate and as comfortable for 1 person as for 30 people.
It's nice to know that this aspect of experience and knowledge it getting its moment in the sun.
So exciting! I am a retired carpenter who is just entering the world of mind with time to look. Have always felt that the mind is. (connected to God (by whatever name) all other ???? many of those)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisjohn m
let me say first im an interior designer and i never EVER subscribed to fung shui. but i have alwasy thought that your environment both indoors and outdoors will have some affect, even if small, on your happiness and creativity. as i said im an interior designer so sorry i cant get too detailed with the sci talk.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMost of the people in the West misunderstand things such as "Feng Shui" or "Vastu Shastra". The westerners have resuscitated those practices that had been buried as nonsense superstitions by the legitimate creators (Chinese and Indians). Being a western architect living in East Asia I can only praise the beauty and sharpness of your article, dreaming of a scientific approach to the discipline.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhen I was 35, I shattered my acetabulum (hip socket). The recommended treatment was six weeks in traction. So for six weeks I was immobilized from the chest down. Since I was in good health otherwise, I used the period as something like a spiritual retreat -- no TV, only books, music, and friends' visits. It was immeasurably improved by having windows with two different views in my room -- one at my feet and one to my left. Even though I saw other parts of the hospital, I my views included sky and weather, and I felt very connected to the outdoors. The hospital experience could have been a horror, but I look back on it with good feelings, and I have always assumed it was because of the windows. Incidentally, the senior nurse told me that a decision had been made to give me that specific room because I was young and healthy and would be aware of the view and be healed by it!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPrisons are an area that has had much research with little implementation. In one study, prisoners were able to lift up to 20% less when the grey walls of the weight room were painted pastel-pink. It also led to fewer fights. However, it was deemed too unmanly and offensive, so they painted in back to grey when the study was over. Brilliant.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI an architecture student going to Stage 3. I am doing my dissertation on "Impact of color and building materials on our mental health." This article is like a diamond mine for me! Thank you ever so much! =)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell, I guess this is all interesting, BUT Frank LLoyd Wright was designing this a LONG time ago.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHis whole Prarie school of thought was to have a focused center point, usually an expansive fireplace. The Hearth, and have the house flow around it. Consider this. humans evolved sitting around a campfire. For warmth, light, protection against animals. The central fire as a focus of human activities is older than recorded history.
Who can resist walking towards a bonfire on a beach?
FLLW wrote an amazing book called "The natural House" Long out of print, my well worn copy from 1954, only a few years before his death, captures the essential for building on a human scale.
I believe that most "modern" houses are much bigger than needed for comfort, sustainability, and the human need for a livable home. Soaring cathedral ceilings and 4000 square foot homes for a family of three may "feel" grand. I believe they in fact diminish the owners, remove the personality of the PERSONS living in the house, and re-focus on "Here is what I can BUY....." not "this is who I AM..."
A "humble" home, well made and designed for easy living. That is a mark of true wealth. Someone who considers the activities of the rooms, the design and layout for the task at hand. Those are the true marks of craftsmanship in the design of a building.
I am a dementia specialist and a geriatric mental health counselor. My present workplace does not have a dementia unit but is in the process of fundraising for the process. Unfortunately, the administration is only working with marketing and an architect firm to modify an existing floor as a secured dementia unit. No one doing hands on work with these residents is part of the design process.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCan anyone recommend any good resources for the architectural lay person on the topic of psychology of living design for various dementias and cultural considerations for these folks? I'm hoping to collect info ASAP to bring to my administration's attention before it's too late. Thanks!
As a fan of FLW and a spacetherapy architect with interest in humane design, I recently had the great privilege of participating in a 3D shoot of Falling Water. While Frank was a master at organic architecture and the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, I was not prepared for the absence of such when it came to the connection between indoor spaces, furniture placement and people. The effective use of implied sub-spaces, seating arrangements, lighting and acoustics was missing. These imperfections, plus the use of 18" wide hallways, certainly not code acceptable these days, and exterior design driven 24" high bathroom lavs were all examples of dysfunctional spaces. Even famous architects can be subject to creating spaces for supposed human occupation, spaces riddled with SDD (space deficit disorder).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMore articles on neuroscience research in the field of architecture and interior design, coupled to the work "environmental psychology has put forward for over 30 years", will certainly go a long way in supporting clients demanding of architects and interior designers spaces that are more than ego designed sculpture people are somehow to inHABIT.
just more grist for the mill!
asdasd
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisduuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishowever, there's no accounting for taste.
O Lord,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPlease bring back Mr. L. Kahn.
and Mr. Aalto, too.