Come May 2009, in my final year of studying a Ba (Hons) in Architectural Technology, and I was scratching my head over what subject to base my written dissertation on. In the few years running up to my stint in academia I had been near obsessing over mental health disorders, specifically ADHD, in an attempt to understand why it seemed I was interacting with the world in a very different way compared to most people around me; at the time I was unknowingly autistic (my doctor said ‘mild autism’, some say ‘High Functioning Autism’, others like to call themselves the namesake of a Nazi). With this in mind, I felt compelled to explore ‘Building Design’, that is Architectural styles, interiors, town planning, and the built environment generally in regards to mental health and wellbeing.
Little did I know at this time, there was very little research or studies available regarding this specific niche. On presenting my relatively naive and immature proposal to my University Supervisor (on the one time I actually managed to get a meeting despite constant reaching out) the only feedback I was afforded was…
“I like the idea, but this is a Masters thesis level subject to which there is little to no research on, and so I think you need to stop working on this and try something else.”
Worth noting that this isn’t a direct quote, but that’s the gist of it from what I remember. Realistically he was right! There was nothing to read, little to reference, and all the research would have to be anecdotal, corroborative but full of holes and criticisms. I am fairly sure it would have been a great analytical and critical piece suggesting several points based on loose, unproven ideas. Though not impossible to write a decent 12,000 word piece and do well, though the formation of a credible academic piece felt to me impossible. I was disheartened, and began fading away from my study (while averaging a 2.1 with potential for 1st had I scored well in my dissertation).
Come 2023, I am currently entering a period where I have come to understand myself a lot more, gained a lot of wisdom, experience, as well as shaking of some chains of the past. Part of this, not so much to complete said dissertation, but to present an awareness and ability to do so (and if this is a topic that you are interested in, I certainly hope to be a stepping stone by imparting some knowledge). I often claim to be a writer, but most of my writing is unpublished drivel that noone sees and this period is to now stop hoarding knowledge, ideas, and analyses and share the words and my mind with the world. That may well be a delusion of grandeur, though never will it be realistic without the doing.
Sort of an Introduction
It would seem like one is stating the obvious in saying that the places we live and interact with can affect our psychology and emotional state. This would also come with an obvious answer IE humans experience the world with their 5 classical senses which are then processed in our mind, and so by changing how we design and build our immediate environment could directly change our experiences and our thoughts regarding as such.
Why is it important? Well, I could throw commonly known statistics in here such as, “1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, and one in six experiences this at any given time” (ONS Psychiatric Morbidity report 2001) < this source is of course a little outdated and come 2023 everyone is a bit mental and fucked in the head it seems. Partly because we are currently living in a shockly regressive period where governments the world over are at eachothers throats because capitalism has created a situation where money only works for money and people also work for money. Not to mention the ‘social mania’ problems, with humans intoxicated with social media. Even mental health experts are struggling to understand the effects of the iPhone era, where misinformation is rife to a level where facts and opinions have become blurred. It has gone so far as to alter the mating habits of humans (based on assumed status) to the point where scientists and academics are expecting a drop (if not crash) in population come the next few decades.
The point isn’t to suggest that architecture is causing people anxiety, nor that by changing how a town is planned will eliminate mental illnesses, but to identify how architectural design, town planning and the built environment can encourage positive behaviour, be comfortable, provide safety and security while discouraging disassociation or exacerbating negative behaviour. In an era where we have normalised narcissim within ourselves whilst being encouraged to call out the toxicity in others, having the correct environment to help people ground themselves in reality may provide the nudge of encouragement needed to flip the switch.
Grounding is a psychological tool that is widely-used and encouraged by stimulating one of the senses to change your focus.
If you wish to learn more about grounding here are a few links 1, 2, 3, 4
AIM
In 2009 my initial statement was:
To discover if we can design our built environment to promote good mental health and how this can be achieved.
Was a little vague and rough around the edges which may in part have reflected the lack of clarity I had when approaching this subject, though in hind sight it isn’t too difficult to extrapolate the intention of identifying a list of good practices to consider, which in turn would then be contrasted with a list of bad practices (regarding building/built environment design).
To do this, it is important to understand that the built environment can have a direct impact on mental health. Buildings, spaces, and cities can have both a positive and negative effect on individuals and communities. Whether it be the interior design of a home or the architectural aesthetic of a street, these each build up part of a personal and a communal identity. By exploring various design principles I want to highlight examples of how the built environment is used by humans, and how these principles can encourage healthy use of space, safe interactions and improve mental health, and potentially human productivity.
Discussion
Designing for specific use would be something to consider also, such as care homes, healthcare, and for users with specific needs. An elderly person may require smaller, easily accessable services, while therpy centres may wish to design for specific stimulation using different colours, textures, materials, lighting, while providing different sized and themed spaces, however this is a very specific aspect of design different to the intended discussion.
Research has shown that exposure to natural elements, such as green spaces and natural light, can have a positive impact on mental health, reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally, access to quality public spaces and well-designed buildings can improve social interactions and a sense of community, which in turn can improve mental well-being.
Conversely, poorly designed or poorly maintained spaces can discourage social interactions and create feelings of isolation, which can lead to negative effects on mental health. Similarly, built environments that are not accessible or inclusive can lead to feelings of exclusion and marginalization, also impacting mental health negatively.
In terms of architectural styles, there are several that have been shown to have positive effects on mental health. For example, biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements into the built environment, has been shown to have a positive impact on mental well-being. Similarly, the use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, in building design can create a sense of warmth and comfort, promoting positive mental health.
On the other hand, certain architectural styles, such as those that prioritise function over form, can have a negative impact on mental health. For example, the overuse of industrial materials, such as concrete and steel, can create a sense of coldness and detachment, negatively impacting mental well-being. Additionally, the overuse of a single architectural style in a given area can lead to a monotony that can be detrimental to mental health.
W C Sullivan and CY Chang highlight various key points to consider on this topic including: (Not exhaustive)
– Place attachment (such as your home or where you grew up),
– ‘Modern life’ and its tendendency to exhaust attention as it is full of distractions (seems to be a euphimism for how peoples attention has been commoditised and monetised by social media).
– Crowded, noisy or dangerous places have a negative impact on people, and foster mental illnesses.
– Places that encourage physical activity can help prevent and treat mental illnesses.
– Green spaces can alleviate mental fatigue.
These key points are rather basic but form a framework for what a list of good practices should consider. At a base level they have concluded that the built environment does have important consequences for mental health.
Interestingly, Sullivan and Chang identify several things that can be considered, by the built environment, such as mental fatigue can be alleivated by green spaces, stress, annoyance, anxiety and depression can be influenced by factors such as noise, privacy, safety, wayfinding, crowded spaces (and that social density matters more than spatial density). There is even a link between walkable-streets and accessable communal locations that encourage social interactions, for people to walk, run, play, and cycle reducing risk of depression and improve physical and psychological health. Though with this comes an income inequality, as these areas tend to be more expensive, and in cheaper, busier delapedated communities which are more crowded and more motor-based tend to be more noisy, dangerous, polluted, and have an increased likelyhood of violence and aggression.
Coming off of that, I recall reading a case study (I can’t remember the book in which gave this example but I believe it was in the late 1960s) which was based around the behaviour of local residents set around a small sports encloure in New York city. It contained 3x basketball courts, and was surrounded by several high-rise residential buildings with a road running around its entirety. The court also had a tall chain-link fence surrounding it with three entrance gates and was described as looking comparable to a prison yard. Each residential apartment block had a different majority ethnicity living in them and the study went on to look at how the space was shared. One side ‘off-limits’ and was known for criminal activity by a local gang, just crossing into this zone would be met with aggression or violence. The central zone was known as the reserved zone, said to be ‘permanently in-use’ even when it wasn’t, held in place for the immediate locals happy to share the court amongst themselves, and the far-side which could be used by chancers if the court is empty, though should probably leave if others came.
Though this may be anecdotal at best without being able to reference the study, it does highlight social interactions and community identity, with the locals preventing people straying into the off-limits zone, and those in the off-limits zone holding a reservation for locals-only, all the while there were distinct and measurable tribal boundaries where each individual ethnic groups would muster during busy use. Despite reaching for the positives, this would clearly be a poor design and it would be difficult to measure even at a guess how this may create a feeling of isolation and exclusion, as well as anxiety this would have on locals that may wish to use this space without reprimand, or that criminal and violent activity is on their doorstep with some level of permanence.
The Positive and Negative effects of the Built Environment on Human Interaction and Mental Health
Positive effects:
- Encouraging social interactions and a sense of community through the design of shared spaces such as parks and plazas.
- Promoting physical activity and reducing stress through the incorporation of green spaces and walkable streets.
- Improving mood and well-being through the use of natural light, views of nature, and access to fresh air.
- Enhancing feelings of safety and security through the design of well-lit streets and public spaces with clear lines of sight.
- Using materials, geometry, space, and colour that are pleasing to the eye and promote a sense of calm and well-being.
Negative effects:
- Isolating individuals and promoting a sense of disconnection through the design of isolated buildings and streets that discourage social interactions.
- Promoting feelings of stress and anxiety through the use of loud and chaotic street designs.
- Inhibiting physical activity and promoting sedentary lifestyles through the design of car-oriented environments with limited access to green spaces and walkable streets.
- Creating feelings of unease and insecurity through the design of dark, poorly-lit streets and public spaces with limited visibility.
What are the Good and Bad practices?
Some Good Practices to consider:
- Access to natural elements such as open green spaces and natural light
- Inclusion and accessibility for all
- Walkable and easy to navigate streets
- Places designed for social interaction and a sense of community
- Safety and security with clear boundaries for private and public
- Use of materials that promote warmth and comfort
- Avoiding monotony in architectural styles
Some bad practices to avoid:
- Lack of access to nature
- Poorly designed and maintained public spaces that are subject to crowding and difficult to navigate, or are car orientated environments.
- Exclusive and inaccessible places
- Poorly lit or poorly designed spaces that increase the risk of crime and accidents
- Overuse of a single architectural style in a given area
Example Architectural Styles
Architectural styles from around the world that adhere to these good practices include:
- Scandinavian design, which incorporates natural light, views of nature, and clean lines to promote feelings of calm and well-being.
- Japanese design, which emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and the use of natural materials to promote a sense of tranquillity.
- Mediterranean design, which incorporates outdoor spaces, natural light, and bright colours to promote a sense of warmth and cheerfulness.
Architectural styles that do not adhere to these good practices include:
- Brutalist design, which emphasizes the use of raw concrete and industrial materials, often resulting in cold and uninviting spaces.
- Post-modern design, which incorporates playful and often chaotic forms, can create a sense of confusion and disorientation.
- High-rise buildings, which can create feelings of isolation and disconnection, often have limited access to natural light and fresh air, and can be difficult to navigate.
Research considerations
Any research which could be conducted to measure the effects of different architectural styles and designs would have to be implemented over long period of time in various locations from their inception or refurbishment, which wouldnt be feasible in my circumstance. An alternative research experiment to test the theory of the impact of the built environment on human interaction and mental health would involve comparing crime and mental health statistics in areas with varying levels of adherence to what may be established as ‘good design principles’.
Studies have shown that crime rates and mental health statistics tend to be higher in areas with poor design principles, such as isolated and poorly-lit streets and public spaces. For example, a study by the University of Glasgow found that people living in areas with high levels of greenery had lower rates of mental health issues compared to those living in areas with less greenery. Similarly, a study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that areas with more walkable streets had lower crime rates compared to those with less walkable streets.
A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that residents of neighbourhoods with high levels of perceived safety and social cohesion had lower rates of depression and anxiety compared to those living in neighbourhoods with low levels of safety and social cohesion. Similarly, a study conducted by the University of Washington found that people living in walkable neighbourhoods had lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure compared to those living in car-oriented neighbourhoods.
With this in mind, building designs that prioritise function over form, such as large scale housing projects, can be seen as objectively undesirable as they often lack aesthetic appeal, natural light, views of nature, and access to fresh air. As a result, they can negatively impact the mental health of residents living in such locations and may lead to an increase in crime rate. As well as considering the psychological impact of a new high-rise residential building in an existing community. This may lead to feelings of unease and insecurity, an increase crime in the local area, increase the social density in existing green spaces, and put pressure on local services if they have not expanded to cope with the population increase.
Case Study: Barcelona
The city of Barcelona has undergone significant changes to its road infrastructure in recent years, with a focus on promoting sustainable transportation and improving the liveability of the city. One of the key changes has been the implementation of a “superblock” system, which involves reducing the size of traditional city blocks and creating more pedestrian-friendly spaces.
The superblock system has been designed to encourage social interactions and a sense of community by creating shared spaces such as parks and plazas. Additionally, the reduction in car traffic has promoted physical activity by making the streets more walkable and bike-friendly. Furthermore, the changes in the road infrastructure have led to an increase in green spaces, which improves the mental health of the citizens.
The superblock system has also been credited with reducing air pollution and noise levels, which can have a positive impact on mental health. Additionally, the increased use of sustainable transportation modes such as walking and cycling has been found to have a positive impact on physical health and well-being.
Furthermore, crime rates in the superblock areas have decreased since the implementation of the superblock system, as well as a decrease in the number of accidents. This supports the theory that the built environment can have a positive effect on human interaction and mental health.
However, it should be noted that the success of the superblock system has been a topic of debate, with some critics arguing that the changes have led to increased traffic congestion and difficulties for local businesses. Additionally, the displacement of residents and the gentrification of certain areas have been criticized.
Overall, the changes to the road infrastructure in the city of Barcelona support the theory that the built environment can have a positive effect on human interaction and mental health. The superblock system has promoted social interactions, physical activity, and well-being, while also reducing crime rates and accidents. However, it is important to consider the potential negative impacts on local businesses and residents when implementing similar changes in other cities.
Limitations and Summary
It would be worth at this point noting the limitations of this discussion, as the field of mental illness and the built environment is a highly complex and multifaceted topic. Despite there being far more study on this topic than when I first attempted to address this subject in 2009, it would be very difficult to determine causation and effectiveness without extensive long term study and research. Not to mention the genetic, cultural, societical and economic factors which may have an affect on human psychology and mental health.
Regardless the built environment is intrinsically linked to human health, both physically and mentally (arguably spiritually too). For at least as long as humans have been farming, communal identity has also been linked to location through life and death, and the changing built environment has often been a reflection of society in function, form and status. By highlighting good and bad practices, I have presented a good place to start for design considerations in regards to mental health.
Further Reading
WHO – Healthy Cities
A Strategic Framework for Creating Liveable New Communities
Planning Healthy, Liveable and Sustainable Cities
APA Healthy Communities Policy Guide
The Impact of Built Environment on Mental Health
Biophilic Design By S Kellert et al
The Architecture of Community by Leon Krier
Designing for Interaction: Creating Smart Applications and Clever Devices by Dan Saffer
Building for Better Health
BBC: The hidden ways that architecture affects how you feel
Designing with Mental Health in Mind
Designing Buildings: Mental health and wellbeing
Please note that none of the above are affliate links, and this is not an academic research piece but a discussion of how I would approach this subject as a research piece currently. Feel free to take inspiration from this should you be studying a similar subject or field.
i3r0k3n7feet 