How Building Design Molds Human Behaviour and Emotion

<p dir="ltr"><i>The intricate relationship between architectural spaces and human psychology has been an area of intense research, with evidence suggesting that our physical environment profoundly influences behaviour, emotions, and well-being (Goldhagen, 2017). As urbanisation accelerates and people spend more time indoors, studies predict 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050 (Kundu,2020). This trend underscores the critical need to understand the impact of building design on human experiences.</i></p><p dir="ltr"><i>This research paper adopts a pragmatist worldview, it identifies and analyses specific architectural and interior design elements that shape behavioural patterns and affective states within built environments.</i><i> </i><i>Our research aspires to generate evidence-based design methods, potentially improving the quality of life across many environments.</i></p><p dir="ltr"><i>This research paper employs a mixed methods approach, primarily emphasising qualitative techniques supplemented by quantitative data. The data collection involves a survey with Likert-scale questions, to measure subjective experiences, and open-ended questions, to gather in-depth personal accounts. The study recruited participants with construction expertise and everyday people from various built environments. Data analysis follows a mixed-method approach, analysing the Likert-scale responses statistically and conducting a thematic analysis on the qualitative data. The findings are then compared against existing research literature, creating an in-depth response.</i></p><p dir="ltr"><i>The research paper examines fundamental architectural aspects to discover how they influence a person's behaviour and emotions. Room layout, acoustic design, ceiling height, lighting, colour scheme, material selection, and biophilic design were all investigated. Themes have been discovered for each element and supported by secondary sources. This has enabled the development of evidence-based design principles that benefit emotions and behaviours across a wide range of environments, resulting in a greater emphasis on this subject rather than solely financial gain.</i></p>