Did you know that design choices have a big influence on emotions, productivity, and well-being? The psychology of architectural design is something that architects are very in-tune with. Both residential and commercial architects must take into account the feelings, moods, and emotional states their spaces will evoke. In this article, we’ll explore some core elements of the psychology of architectural design, and how you can incorporate these components into your home or office space.
Understanding The Interplay Between Architecture and Human Psychology
Whether you’re aware of it or not, when you walk into a new space for the first time, the design has a direct impact on your sense of sight, touch and smell. Psychology tells us that every person has a unique perception of the space around them, meaning a group of people may not experience a space in the same way. If a group of five people walk into a museum for the first time, the architecture will impact each of their senses differently. However, there are certain design principles architects use to guide people towards similar moods, behaviors and emotions.
Effects of Design Choices on Emotions and Productivity
Interior design has a significant effect on our emotions and productivity. Some common examples of this include:
- Color choice: Warmer colors like yellow, orange, and red are associated with joy, energy, and passion, while cool colors like blue and green evoke a sense of calm and tranquility. Choosing a color scheme for a family home versus choosing a color scheme for an office will obviously be a very different process, however it’s important to be aware of the emotions associated with the colors you choose.
- Shapes: Round shapes and curved lines elicit feelings of harmony and naturalness, while straight lines give the impression of order and stability. Rooms made up of curved lines often make people feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed.
- Lighting: It’s a general rule to allow as much natural light in as possible. Exposure to natural light is associated with happiness and positivity, while rooms with no natural light often make people feel lethargic and less productive.
How Lighting, Spatial Layout, and Material Shapes The Human Experiences
As mentioned above, lighting has a profound impact on how people feel when they’re in a space. We always recommend allowing as much natural light in as possible, and windows should be one of the first design choices you consider. Homes and office buildings alike greatly benefit from maximum natural light because natural light is proven to generate positive feelings and make us feel more energetic.
Spatial layout is another important design element that impacts how we feel and behave in a space. The design should reflect the actions you want people to take when they’re in the space. For example, office buildings that have numerous comfortable meeting areas or places for people to relax and gather suggest a collaborative, friendly environment, while rows of individual desks or cubicles convey a more solitary, focused feeling.
Crafting Harmonious Environments: Practical Insights for Architects and Individuals
Whether it’s a family home or a corporate building, there are certain elements that must be carefully considered when designing a harmonious environment:
- Create a sense of openness: People usually prefer larger, open spaces so it’s important to maximize your space and use certain design tricks to make it appear larger. Open spaces with high ceilings are said to help foster creativity and free-flowing thought.
- Choose the color palette carefully: Color has a significant impact on mood, emotions, feelings, and energy. Lighter colors will reflect light better within your space and make it feel more open as opposed to darker colors.
- Use natural elements where possible: Being in nature makes us feel calm, serene and relaxed, so it’s no surprise that using natural elements in your design will have the same effect. Live plants or green walls and other natural materials like bamboo, wood and stone all contribute towards a more harmonious environment.
We have just scratched the surface on the complexity and detail that goes into the psychology of architectural design. If you’d like more information, or if you need help designing your home or office, please contact our team at Seth A. Leeb Architect today and visit our website at: https://leeb-architecture.com/