Environmental Psychology: The psychology of Architecture and Good Design

What is Environmental Psychology?

Environmental Psychology (EP) explores the relationship between humans and the external world. It explores how the natural, built, social, learning and informational environments shape us as individuals. EP includes theory, research and practice aimed at improving humans’ relationship with the environment that they interact with.

Architectural Psychology- The Need for Well-Designed Spaces

Architectural Psychology (AP) extends from EP, in that it considers how a building can meet the psychological and emotional needs of its inhabitants.

Some benefits from AP include improved mental health, better sleep quality, increased productivity and an enhanced overall well-being. This is brought about through well designed spaces that incorporate natural light, views, privacy, air flow, acoustics, as well as nature-inspired elements.

A well designed space that considers the psychological needs of its occupants can contribute to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

The environment in which we inhabit effects our mood. We connect through our spaces through an identity claim (our values or goals), through thought and feeling regulators (memories or thoughts developed from the utilised space) and through a behavioural residue (a clean, tidy and organised space vs. a messy, cluttered space).

We want to see well-designed, not fast-designed spaces. The design needs to be intentional, not accidental or mass-produced. Our inhabited spaces help us to heal, focus, regulate emotions, unwind, and energise. Good design is also evident in how the space belongs in the cultural context of the community that it inhabits.

Whilst spaces vary depending on each individual’s needs, there are certain building elements that are common from person to person. Clean, natural, bright, warm, inviting spaces conjure up images of peace and happiness. Most people would rather look at a view of nature, than look at a blank wall.

A long running study by Roger S. Ulrich, of patients recovering from Cholecystectomy surgery (Gallbladder removal) in a Pennsylvanian hospital between 1972 & 1981 found that those patients who were assigned a room with a view of a natural setting had shorter post-operative hospital stays, received fewer negative evaluative comments in the nurses’ notes and took fewer pain medications, when compared to matched patients in similar rooms with windows facing a brick building wall. The evidence shows that a natural setting can have a restorative influence on individuals.

Karinya’s creations contribute to society as they are beautiful, functional and aesthetically pleasing. We understand how good design affects us as individuals, and how this can have a positive impact on those we engage with. We love the Japanese concept of Kaizen, and meld it into the ways we continuously improve ourselves, the business we operate in, and the community we build in.