Have you felt very comfortable in one place and couldn’t wait to leave another?
This intangible interaction between people and their surroundings is known in architecture as the psychology of space. There is more to interior design than selecting materials and furnishings. Understanding human nature makes a designer best equipped to createa space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functions on a subconscious level to be appropriate to the space use. One’s perception of a space is formed from an aggregate of clues. We use our five senses, primarily favoring sight, sound and touch to generate a mind’s eye assessment of a space. Everyone reacts differently to environments based on personal experiences, their physicality, emotional reactions, etc. A fence is good example to demonstrate feelings associated with ones surroundings and the unique reactions we have to them. Some feel protected while others may feel confined. Designers attempt to use techniques to shape spaces to compliment human nature. There are dimensions that allow for easy maneuverability, and colors that calm people enjoying the spaces for longer duration. In contrast, there are colors used for restaurants to speed interactions and turn tables quicker making the space more financially productive. Spatial manipulation included principles like compressed ceiling heights used in an entrance to allow for the next room to feel grand.
Environmental understanding is a key to good design. The brain does not know the difference between what it sees in the world and what it sees in its mind. Reality is within the realm of the individual. This explains why witnesses of the same accident often describe vastly differing accounts of the event. As humans we are exposed to 4 billion bits of information but are only aware of 2 thousand. We select the data and shape a unique experience. Designing a successful space not only requires selection of appropriate furnishings but also incorporates these principles to shape a well functioning environment.
More to it than meets the eye! Really great design also accommodates the feelings associated with a space. Ambience is often dictated by good lighting and appropriate noise levels. Proper configuration to allow ample personal space territory prevents negative associations with crowding. Other factors taken into consideration are visual perception; place identity [the uniqueness to an individual]; place attachment [bonding of people and places]; environmental consciousness [how we react to a space] and behavioral set [sight, sound smell – social setting influence behavior.
Imagine if you will, what makes for a good vibe in restaurant or comforts in a hospital setting. Think of special places from your past and consider what elements of this space evoked emotions.
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