Psychology And Architecture

“Where psychology meets our built environment.”

PRESENTED BY: RACHITA SUBEDI

2072/B.ARCH/526

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•“Buildings have a direct effect
on our emotions. They can be
depressing or uplifting,
soothing or surprising,
welcoming or forgiving.” -
Eberhard
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Psychology for Architects by David Canter

Published in 1970s, David Canter’s book

“Psychology for Architects” spawned the whole
field of environmental psychology, as it was
dedicated to understanding how people interact
with the buildings and spaces around them. The
founding fathers before him focused mainly on
how the general environment affects psychology,
whereas David Canter studied how architecture
and spaces play a role on human psychology.
After the publication of his book, psychology of
architecture became a science of its own with
principles to be followed.

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 Importance of the built environment
on psychological processes
• The built environment • The preferences of certain A space should be flexible
has direct and indirect physical environments
effects on human enough to be personalized
psychology. It has an may be by different occupants,
impact on our senses, neutrally/hormonally and the best way to
mood, emotions, underpinned, achieve this in today’s
motivations, evolutionarily driven, complex environment is
judgments, decisions, and/or culturally through more
health, and modulated. Furthermore,
participation in participation, cooperation
physical activity and individual differences are and understanding among
community life. Having likely to lead to diverging designers and
a good built experiences of the same environmental
environment is building or room. To psychologists
important because it create a built environment
can give better
performance, less is not only providing four
distraction, and blank walls, but to build a
occupants comfort and space that satisfies 4
satisfaction. physical & psychological
needs.
 Psychological effects of Space, light, &
color
• “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” – Winston
Churchill
Architecture can control the way people live, the way they think and the
way the feel.
How can architecture affect our moods and thoughts?

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Space

• Space control people’s

movements, creating a flow from
element to element, telling people
where to look, what to read and
what’s important.
• Generally open spaces are more
positive and inviting, on the other
hand, closed or tight spaces have a
more negative impact.

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Light
• “Without light we see nothing, without light we are nothing”. Light
offers everything apparent, defines its meaning and proves its
existence. This is why designers need to study where they should
open more windows and use more light.

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 Colors

• Colors not only influence our moods

but also change architectural
perspectives; making us feel that a
space is widened or expanded.
Depending on the emotions you
want to bring, you choose your color
paints.

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In conclusion...

• The study of Architectural Psychology is still in its early stages. By

understanding the background and importance of this
relationship, both architects and psychologists can work side by
side to investigate methods and techniques to create better
buildings. Case studies and research can enrich this field to make
solid basis for design solutions with tangible results.

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References

• https://www.wired.com/2011/04/the-psychology-of-architecture/
• https://www.psychologyofarchitecture.org/
• https://is.muni.cz/el/1423/podzim2015/HEN627/um/60715039/Ste
g__van_den_Berg__de_Groot__2012__Environmental_Psychology.p
df
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456225/
• http://article.sapub.org/pdf/10.5923.j.ijpbs.20130304.04.pdf
• http://www.via-architecture.com/how-design-can-affect-your-
mood/
• https://www.emberlight.co/blogs/glow/182021319-5-ways-light-
affects-you
• http://assets.csom.umn.edu/assets/71190.pdf
• https://www.wired.com/2011/04/the-psychology-of-architecture/ 11