Architectural design is an epitome of human behavior that has articulated the definition of architecture that indirectly defines the aesthetics of the present times. The amalgamation of touch, feel, and perspective has influenced the designs that express a certain individual’s stability, positivity, and emotional well-being. Aesthetics, in this context, can be articulated as a state of one’s mind and resonates with the user on a profound level. The combination of paints, minimalistic looks, and texture of both interior and exterior act a major role in our movie of mental health and create an emotional landscape for our well-being.  

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Mental Health: A priority

One of the most important characteristics of architectural psychology is the mental health and emotional well-being of an individual. Crafting a vibrant and air-ventilated space was to express grandeur in the past but in the present, it has become an essential requirement, and where the design brings about questions of the mental health of a person in that particular space. The perception and perseverance of an occupant shall be given importance to allow a sense of connection and belonging in a designed space. 

Enhancing Productivity

The environment and the ambiance of a dynamic space connect to the user, enriching his or her productivity and performance. Inculcating the character of flexibility and ergonomic designs, architectural design inspires and motivates users to engage in creative thinking and increase their capability of problem-solving. Well-designed spaces only help improve individuals and empower them to thrive in a fast-paced world. 

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Community Engagement 

In this digital world, where the human-human connection is lost and feelings of isolation and loneliness come in the present, architectural spaces play a vital role in bringing a sense of connection with the inhabitants and bringing them together. Through the design of communal gathering spaces considering the interests of similar and eccentric individuals helps in encouraging them to share, interact, and fight the feeling of being alone and promoting emotional well-being.

With a rapidly changing world, the timeline of each individual to adapting the changes is inversely proportional. A human’s response to the environment and surroundings has shown to be dependent on past experiences and portray their personality traits with the respective environments and any changes in their only increase their stress and anxiety levels. Here, the architectural design caters to the rapid changes with a universal design that is responsive, inclusive, and adaptive to diverse lifestyles. The design here only encourages the individual to adapt to the growing world. Emotionally sustainable and supportive design grows together with prioritizing energy efficiency and conservation while catering to the needs of emotional well-being. 

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Architectural spaces and Human psychology

Architecture and psychology are deeply interconnected with each other. The impact of the built environment on human behavior shapes the trends of architectural design. Architecture connects with humans in numerous ways that evoke feelings of comfort, security, and freedom and explore the relationship between the people and the physical environment. The design is just not focused on creating functional spaces but also on understanding the human behavioral patterns that enhance lives, promote emotional well-being, and reflect positivity. 

An Enclosed space 

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With every individual, the connection between human behavior and architectural spaces differentiates. A space is designed to experience a sense of tranquility and safety. In a residential space, some people consider the essence of materials like stone and wood as the feeling of warmth and security while others find them heavy to the eyes. These choices of a space communicate and express the mental health of humans and allow them to feel empowered in their daily lives.

An Urban environment

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An urban design should follow the concept of Biophilia and Sustainability to foster a sense of openness and relaxation while still prioritizing emotional well-being. Considering an urban environment, the definition of aesthetics showcases the dynamic spirit of a city. In the present times, the emotional patterns that are reflected in our built Urban environment focus on the human tendency to be closer to nature. The complex amalgamation of tall structures and layered landscape portrays a sense of progress with the addition of vibrant colors that give energy to the place as well as to humans. The experience of sound, smell, and the perseverance of the spaces allows an individual to elicit feelings of empowerment and motivation.

In essence, the significance of emotional well-being in architectural spaces assists in nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of humans. A well-designed architectural space positively impacts the mental health and lives of every individual by inspiring, uplifting, and enduring. The aesthetics as a character reflects on human behavior and encompasses the intangible elements that express a range of emotions from nostalgia to inspiration. The design with the consideration of emotional well-being is not only adaptive and sustainable but also enriches the architecture of a place and provides a sensory experience with the feeling of comfort, joy, and connection. 

Reference List:

indusuni.ac.in. (n.d.). The Impact of Architectural Design on Human Behavior: Insights from Neuroscience Research. [online] Available at: https://indusuni.ac.in/the-impact-of-architectural-design-on-human-behavior-insights-from-neuroscience-research.php

Ricci, N. (2018). Scholarship @ Claremont The Psychological Impact of Architectural Design. [online] Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2850&context=cmc_theses

Elephant Design. (2023). Designing Environments for Mental Health and Well-being. [online] Available at: https://elephantdesign.com/blog-1/designing-environments-for-mental-health-and-well-being/9/8/2023  [Accessed 27 Apr. 2024].

SLD. (2023). How Design Contributes To Health And Mental Wellbeing. [online] Available at: https://www.sld.com/blog/health_and_pharmaceutical/how-design-contributes-to-health-and-mental-wellbeing/

Image list

Image 1:

Gencraft. (2024). Available at: https://cdn.gencraft.com/prod/user/881b1268-a47e-4d9e-811a-a99e9835c3b0/e0f9dd61-e5a7-4a4d-810e-70ffccb6b38d/image/image1_0.jpg?Expires=1714319663&Signature=RK4H~-FxUyz60SgGIPu~cMxVrvq0Hri12ZnlCgR~naOgzNzJ8bBT~VJ14a03zNd3AMokjSTHU~bfF6HJOj0AYb2AGZ02LWxzZE-FvQNausHr-PUE193uQDkFRPthiHlPkLEuw8Rx2ifKcDjlfNEQOXawAD4QmjWcCKCzwSPGmMaTqhzh~kyNWsERcZc5CtFx19dew1JUcZvk4zHQzgsYB56mQz~SCGLnVQhHIASzNsIAh0Ji1ycLX7ctD89Fyg3CV-ow9~WLJJsCLsdjE-fsJ7TDfx9BzLg2aIVWb-yAfL0LqDgZnQUf3fEut7dCQVirrdFBWp5g6SHqjkNp2jxpQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K3RDDB1TZ8BHT8  [Accessed 27 Apr. 2024].

Image 2:

Adsttc.com. (2015). Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5af9/345e/f197/cc52/5a00/00c3/large_jpg/Escola_em_Alto_de_Pinheiros_Pedro_Vanucchi.jpg?1526281304  [Accessed 27 Apr. 2024].

‌Image 3:

Adsttc.com. (2023). Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/651f/6132/6fa7/bc5e/a716/2c9a/large_jpg/equilibrando-funcao-e-estetica-incorporando-luz-natural-e-ventilacao-em-arquitetura_13.jpg?1696555325  [Accessed 27 Apr. 2024].

Image 4: 

Adsttc.com. (2024). Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5df5/ea5e/3312/fd55/1c00/0180/newsletter/dirk_weiblen.jpg?1576397397  [Accessed 27 Apr. 2024].

‌Image 5: 

Connollycove.com. (2024). Available at: https://www.connollycove.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-3135.jpeg  [Accessed 27 Apr. 2024].

Author

Architect Sarah Sayyed,attempting to describe all around you and that surround you with added Enhancement and Excitement.She is a reader, a designer and that introverted architect on the social journey of becoming a writer who wants to show people the world the way she experiences it.