Image: Borya | Flickr

We all have similar urban spaces that we don’t like to hang around. Train stations, bus stations and just outside retail stores after hours. I’m sure when you have to pass through these places, you like to move quickly. And why is this? This is probably because it isn’t so safe.

So, what does this have to do with architectural design?

THE AFTER-HOURS BUILDING “PULSE”

The next time you are involved in a design for these types of places, you really should consider what goes on there after hours. You should design for what you would like to encourage during those off peak times. Your lighting, acoustics, material selection, window placements and site design all play a part.

As you design, don’t forget that your building occupant’s needs may be different at night compared to the day. Often, built environments need a pulse after hours and you, as the architect, play a role in making sure that whatever that “pulse” is yields an architecture that is pleasant and safe.

AN EXAMPLE: CLASSICAL MUSIC WARDS OFF CRIME

In many subway stations and bus stations there are often loiterers that disrupt the public, bring down the social climate of a place, vandalize the built structures or even engage in crime. In one project, decision-makers came up with a win-win solution that drove away delinquent behavior and improved passenger comfort and mood. This is what they did…

• Through a sound system authorities played classical music for all to hear.

It seems that Mozart does not go hand-in-hand with delinquent behavior and unwanted loitering activities. Additionally, hearing this type of music often helps passengers feel safe and even serves to put them in a good mood.

TAPPING INTO THE BRAIN

In the article entitled Businesses Using Music to Deter Crime and Loitering, neurologists explain why certain types of music can have these effects. You see, for those that like classical music, dopamine is released in the brain and that creates a happier and more pleasurable mood – as if your body is being rewarded. On the other hand, for those that don’t like classical music, dopamine is inhibited and that dampens a person’s mood – causing them to get away from the music.

7 KEY QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DESIGN CONSCIOUSLY

As you design, try asking yourself the following 7 questions. It is important to think of each question in terms of “off-peak hours”. The key is to think of answers that will help you design consciously for your building’s off-peak times.

1. What design ideas might give my building an appropriate “pulse” during off-peak times?
2. What occupant behaviors should my design foster to promote safety?
3. How can my building help the community, even while it is not in use?
4. Within my design, what human senses can I tap into during off-peak hours?
5. What community problems and social needs can my design help with?
6. Do I need to deter people or bring them closer during off-peak times?
7. What human activities, both intended and unintended, will my design invite?

For instance, buildings that completely shut down during the night often have to enforce security. Similarly, buildings that are completely open during the night often attract some unwanted people that engage in unwanted behaviors.

As an architect, you should find the right balance so your design is pleasant, safe and positively adds to its surrounding environment.

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: justHugo | Flickr

Richard Whitehall is an industrial designer and partner at Smart Design where he works to design what he calls “responsible behavior”. I found this great article, here, where you can see exactly what goes on daily at this industrial designer’s desk.

I like this article because within it are some gems that might help you design places for better occupant interactions. Here are some of his ideas that I think make his designs successful — really promoting green human behavior…

1 — Persuade people through cues. (1)

2 — It’s important to observe people using a product or design. The way they say they use them is often not how they use them. Plus, your view as a designer may be entirely different than their view. You should consider both. (1)

3 — Go for changing “small practices” with your design. All of these will eventually add up and make a big difference. (1)

4 — Use texture, instead of adding more materials to get a “decorative effect” (1)

5 — Aim to “optimize the efficiency” of a user. (1)

6 — An idea is to create a feedback loop so you can encourage a person to continue or stop certain habits. (1)

7 — Focus on “experiences and systems” so you can understand how “people interact with objects and information”. (1)

8 — Don’t just build products that are, themselves, sustainable. Build products that change people’s behaviors. (1)

9 — Discouraging behaviors can also be as important as encouraging them. (1)

10 — Look at what is currently on the market and find ways to make them better. (1)

(1) Whitehall, Richard. Designing Responsible Behavior Workbench. Seedmagazine.com.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman