Environmental Psychology: What Every Architect Should Ask Themselves

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Understanding principles about environmental psychology will help architects to design with greater awareness. The following are ten important questions inspired by some of the major themes that make up the study of environmental psychology.

Although some may look simple at first glance, the questions are really quite complex as you delve into the inner-workings of human perception, cognition and behavior. The more you understand about how occupants interact with their environments, the better your designs will be.

You should keep these questions in your “mental toolbox” as you design:

1. How do you get your occupants attention?
2. What will occupants remember most about this design?
3. How will this architecture impact their real-time experiences?
4. Is this architectural environment coherent?
5. Can this architectural environment be explored?
6. Will occupants enjoy the variety and complexity of this design?
7. Does my design promote opportunities for occupant discovery?
8. Can occupants manage and escape from stress in this environment?
9. Does my design promote healthy social interactions?
10. Is there a sense of community fostered in this architecture?

For more information about the words in italics (within the questions) read the following article about environmental psychology. Here is the link: Environmental Psychology

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What about your designs do your occupants enjoy most? Is there anything you would have designed differently based on resulting occupant behaviors? Can you think of any other important questions that architects should be asking themselves while they design?

(1) Young, R. Environmental Psychology.. Encyclopedia of Environmental Psychology. 1998.