The concept of architecture emerged over 12,000 years ago in the Neolithic period as humans built caves for huts. After that, architecture surpassed dwelling purposes, and its effects on people’s health, mood, and productivity were quickly recognized. The evolution of architecture’s usage is ongoing, with discoveries frequently made. Modern architecture must consider multiple factors, including the efficient use of space regarding the intended usage and lighting, noise, and shape to satisfy the emotional well-being of the people.
Architecture has a significant impact on the functionality of space. Good planning in architecture must consider the activities that will occur in a specific area. An efficient layout can significantly improve people’s emotions when they use the space and boost productivity. A clear demonstration of this is the kitchen layout at McDonald’s. When the McDonald’s brothers first built the restaurant, the focus was on efficiency and speed when preparing food. However, the brothers soon realized that the time taken to fulfill orders was too long and went against their principles.
The restaurant closed for three months, during which the brothers realized that the current kitchen layout was destined to fail due to poor arrangement, which meant workers would cross paths while performing their tasks and cause delays. Thus they created the ‘Speedy System’ in response to this. Workers would be stationed in a hyper-efficient layout, eliminating delays and leading to the franchise being known for its fast production.
Architecture also affects the health and emotional well-being of the occupants. Multiple architectural factors contribute to an individual’s ‘comfort level’, a metric directly proportional to the amount of physical and mental fulfillment an area offers. Two major factors most relevant to determining a comfort level are thermal comfort and the ambiance of a space. Thermal comfort refers to whether the occupant is comfortable with the temperature of a space. Ambiance includes lighting and noise, which can be optimized via soundproofing and placement of light sources and concepts that add to a sense of security.
Lighting and space, in particular, have significantly impacted individuals’ moods. Most humans prefer expansive areas that provide a sense of openness. Recent studies suggest spaciousness affects humans’ multisensory minds by elevating mood and creativity. Imaginative architecture can create the perception of space which leads to an open mind and invites positive energy. Light can have various positive effects on the occupants of an environment, with studies showing that exposure to natural light increases serotonin levels in the brain, effectively lifting mood and happiness levels.
In comparison, not all structures and their components produce positive emotions. For example, a dark or poorly lit space can make people feel scared and cold, generating negative moods. The usage of specific shapes can also impact comfort levels due to their implications. For example, sharp-edged shapes are often associated with authority and uniformity, while circles are seen as non-threatening and inviting.
Architecture can even affect social interactions, which links back to the emotional responses to specific shapes and layouts. For example, an open layout usually means higher comfort levels and elevates mood. They also appear more approachable and friendly, especially when paired with ‘smoother’ shapes without angles.
Architecture in public spaces often utilizes these concepts to increase the potential for social interactions between community members in the hopes that new relationships are forged, creating a stronger sense of unity. A fitting example would be the Absalon Community Centre in Copenhagen. The former church has been redesigned to have a large, open layout to encourage interaction between community members and often hosts communal activities. The center also houses long dinner tables shared by up to 200 neighbors, establishing an element of cohesion within the community.
The final and arguably most significant use of architecture is improving the lives of vulnerable members of society. Even the slightest imperfections, such as bumps in the floor and sudden changes in surface level, can add another dimension of difficulty to differently-abled users. Fortunately, the solutions are as simple as the issues. On a conceptual level, thoughtful and forward-thinking planning can help to avoid unfortunate instances easily. On a practical level, accessible architecture and facilities such as wheelchair ramps or a lower sink for wheelchair users can provide a comfortable experience. Inclusive architecture should be able to be seamlessly used by all users.
In conclusion, understanding architectural techniques’ positive and negative psychological impacts ensure that the space created is optimal for activities and its occupants. Efficient space management will enable us to reap the practical benefit of increased productivity while various layout and environment strategies help manifest positive emotions and establish strong connections among occupants.
By: Jaehoon Song
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