How Architecture Affects Human Behavior

Summary

The speaker recounts their transformative journey to Yangshuo, a serene mountain town in China, where they discovered the profound impact of one's environment on mental well-being. They contrast the calming, nature-infused spaces of Yangshuo with the oppressive, monotonous urban landscapes that can induce stress and mental health issues. The narrative underscores the importance of architecture and urban design in fostering psychological health, advocating for 'Conscious Cities' that prioritize well-being over efficiency. Personal anecdotes and expert insights highlight how our surroundings can shape our emotions and behaviors, encouraging viewers to reconsider and possibly redecorate their living spaces for improved mental health.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ Traveling to Yangshuo in China was a transformative experience, highlighting the impact of environment on well-being.
• 🏨 Staying at a family-run hotel in Yangshuo brought a sense of calm and presence, contrasting with the author's usual urban surroundings.
• 🌿 The tranquility and design of Yangshuo's buildings and spaces contributed to a relaxed and aware state of mind.
• 🏙️ Major cities with their concrete structures and high-rise buildings can lead to a 'bee-like existence' and lack of horizon views, affecting mental state.
• 🌅 The sight of the horizon is associated with seeing possibilities and gaining perspective, unlike the obstructed views in crowded cities.
• 🎨 Psychological research shows that colors in our environment can trigger specific emotions, influencing our mood and behavior.
• ❄️ Monotonous and dark environments, like those in cold cities during winter, can lead to feelings of lethargy and unmotivation.
• 🏢 Research by Collin Ellard indicates that complex and interesting building façades positively affect people, while simple and monotonous ones have negative impacts.
• 🛣️ Urban planning that focuses on efficiency over social interaction can lead to a lack of conviviality and increased mental health risks.
• 🧠 The 'Conscious Cities' concept advocates for an approach to city design that considers neuroscience, architecture, and technology to enhance well-being.
• 🏡 Personal actions, such as decorating one's living space with plants and art, can significantly improve mental health and create a more positive environment.

Q & A

Where is Yangshuo located and what is it known for?

Yangshuo is located in the Guangxi province of Southern China. It is known for its serene and picturesque mountain town environment that offers a glimpse into an ancient way of life.

How did the narrator's experience in Yangshuo change their perspective on life?

The narrator's experience in Yangshuo made them aware of the impact of the spaces they inhabit. It led to a realization about how architecture, environment, and space can influence one's feelings and behavior.

What was the narrator's accommodation in Yangshuo like?

The narrator stayed in a quaint, family-run hotel near the banks of the Li River. The place was quintessentially Chinese, with a sunny room facing the river and a restaurant filled with books, tree barks, and plants.

How does the environment in Yangshuo differ from that of a typical major city?

Yangshuo's environment is characterized by a zen-like essence that promotes relaxation and awareness, in contrast to the steel-like concrete structures and tall condos of major cities where people are expected to live in a bee-like existence.

What psychological effect does the sight of the horizon have on people?

Seeing the horizon is akin to seeing possibilities and gaining a faraway perspective. It can evoke feelings of vastness and openness, which can be psychologically uplifting and inspiring.

What role do colors play in influencing emotions according to the script?

Colors play a significant role in triggering certain emotions. For instance, blue signifies creativity, solutions, and trustworthiness, while red is associated with focus and aggression, and green signifies peace, stability, and prosperity.

How does the urban environment affect people's mental health according to Collin Ellard's research?

Collin Ellard's research suggests that people are strongly affected by building façades. Complex and interesting exteriors have a positive impact, while simple, featureless, and monotonous ones can lead to negative mood states.

What is the 'Conscious Cities' concept mentioned in the script?

The 'Conscious Cities' concept proposes replacing the focus on efficiency in the built environment with a focus on health and well-being. It aims to bridge neuroscience, architecture, and technology to create environments that are extensions of our nervous system.

How does the pandemic highlight the inequality in people's experiences?

The pandemic has made it clear that people's experiences are not equal. Those who are economically advantaged have different experiences and reactions compared to those who are economically disadvantaged, as they have access to different resources and environments.

What is the narrator's advice for improving one's mental state through the environment?

The narrator suggests that improving one's immediate environment, such as adding plants, creating a simple zen garden, or incorporating artwork, can have a positive impact on mental well-being. Simple acts like opening a window to let in sunlight can also make a significant difference.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ The Transformative Power of Yangshuo's Serene Environment

The speaker recounts their transformative journey to Yangshuo, a small mountain town in Guangxi, China, where the traditional way of life persists. The experience awakened their awareness of how the spaces we inhabit can significantly impact our emotions and behavior. They contrast the serene and calming atmosphere of Yangshuo, with its natural beauty and zen-like architecture, to the oppressive and monotonous urban environments of cities like Hong Kong. The speaker emphasizes the psychological benefits of unobstructed views and natural colors, which are often absent in urban landscapes, and discusses how these elements can influence our mental state. They also touch upon the psychological research indicating that colors and architectural designs play a crucial role in triggering emotions and shaping our well-being.

05:04

🧠 The Impact of Urban Design on Mental Health

This paragraph delves into the psychological effects of urban living and how it can alter brain biology, potentially increasing the risk of mental disorders. It introduces the concept of 'triangulation' by sociologist William Whyte, which suggests arranging public spaces to encourage social interaction. The speaker discusses the 'Conscious Cities' movement, which advocates for a shift from efficiency to health and well-being in urban planning. They argue that our environment is an extension of our nervous system and should be designed to support our mental health. The speaker also challenges the notion that the pandemic has been an equalizer, highlighting the stark differences in experiences between those who are economically secure and those who are disadvantaged. They conclude by suggesting that understanding and improving our built environment, starting with personal spaces, can contribute to better psychological stability and well-being.

Keywords

💡Yangshuo

Yangshuo is a small mountain town located in the Guangxi province of Southern China. It is described as a place where ancient ways of life are still preserved, offering a contrast to modern urban environments. In the video, Yangshuo serves as a pivotal location that changes the narrator's perspective on the impact of environment and architecture on human well-being.

💡Space and Environment

Space and environment refer to the physical surroundings in which people live, work, and interact. The video emphasizes the importance of these spaces in influencing emotions and behavior. The narrator's experience in Yangshuo highlights how different environments can induce different states of mind, such as calmness and awareness, contrasting with the stress often found in urban settings.

💡Zen-like essence

Zen-like essence is a term used to describe the tranquil and harmonious atmosphere found in the buildings and stores of Yangshuo. It is associated with a sense of peace and mindfulness that the narrator experiences, which is in stark contrast to the busy and crowded environments of major cities. This concept is central to the video's theme of how space affects mental well-being.

💡Horizon

The horizon symbolizes possibilities and a broader perspective. In the video, the narrator contrasts the unobstructed view of the horizon in natural settings with the lack of such views in urban environments. This comparison is used to illustrate how limited views in cities can subconsciously affect one's state of mind and limit one's sense of potential.

💡Psychological impact

Psychological impact refers to the influence that the design and layout of physical spaces have on a person's mental state. The video discusses how certain architectural elements, such as building façades, can elicit positive or negative emotions. It also touches on how urban living can affect brain biology and increase the risk of mental disorders.

💡Colors and emotions

Colors and emotions are linked in the video as it explains how different colors can trigger specific emotional responses. For instance, blue is associated with creativity and trustworthiness, while red is linked to focus and aggression. The video uses this concept to discuss how the color palette of a city, or lack thereof, can affect the mood of its inhabitants.

💡Urban planning

Urban planning is the process of designing and shaping the physical layout of cities. The video references the work of sociologist William Whyte, who advocated for urban planning that encourages social interaction by arranging public spaces to bring people closer together. This concept is used to critique modern urban environments that often prioritize efficiency over social connection.

💡Conscious Cities

Conscious Cities is a concept introduced in the video that promotes a shift in urban design from a focus on efficiency to a focus on health and well-being. It suggests integrating neuroscience, architecture, and technology to create environments that are extensions of our nervous systems, promoting a sense of extended mind.

💡Economic disparity

Economic disparity is the unequal distribution of wealth and resources among different social groups. The video uses the example of the pandemic to illustrate how economic status can significantly affect one's experience and well-being, challenging the notion that everyone is equally impacted by such events.

💡Home environment

Home environment refers to the personal living space where one resides. The video suggests that even small changes in one's home, such as adding plants or creating a simple zen garden, can have a significant positive impact on mental health. This concept is used to encourage viewers to consider how their immediate surroundings can influence their well-being.

Highlights

Traveling to Yangshuo in China felt like stepping into a forgotten past with an ancient way of life still prevalent.

Yangshuo's impact on the author's life made them aware of the influence of spaces on personal well-being.

The author's stay in a family-run hotel in Yangshuo provided a quintessential Chinese experience, promoting calmness and presence.

Yangshuo's architecture and environment have a zen-like essence that contributes to a relaxed and aware state of mind.

The contrast between the open spaces of Yangshuo and the crowded, obstructed views of cities like Hong Kong highlights the subconscious reaction to environment.

The sight of the horizon is associated with seeing possibilities and gaining a faraway perspective, unlike the obstructed views in cities.

Psychological research suggests that colors significantly influence emotions, with blue signifying creativity and trust, and red associated with focus and aggression.

The monotone darkness and lack of color in cities like Toronto can lead to a sense of unmotivated lethargy.

Researcher Collin Ellard's findings indicate that complex and interesting building façades positively affect people's mood.

Charles Montgomery warns of the psychological disaster caused by replacing vibrant city blocks with blank, cold spaces.

Urban living can double the chances of developing schizophrenia and increase the risk of other mental disorders due to a lack of social bonding.

Sociologist William Whyte advised urban planners to arrange public spaces to encourage social interaction through 'triangulation'.

The concept of Conscious Cities proposes a shift from efficiency to health and well-being in built environments.

Conscious Cities aims to integrate neuroscience, architecture, and technology to create environments that support mental health.

The pandemic has highlighted the inequality in experiences based on economic status, challenging the notion of 'we are all in this together'.

Understanding the impact of architecture and city planning on mental health is crucial for collective psychological stability.

The author's personal experience with decorating their apartment in a more calming and natural style improved their mental state.

Simple environmental changes, like opening a window to let in sunlight, can significantly affect one's mood and well-being.

Transcripts

A couple of years ago, I traveled to this small mountain town called Yangshuo, located

in the Guangxi province of Southern China. Travelling to this part of China felt like

stepping into some forgotten past, where the ancient way of life is still the norm.

It was surreally beautiful to say the least. Yangshuo changed my life for the better.

How so? Well, it made me aware of the impact of the spaces I am in.

Throughout my life, I seldom questioned the architecture, environment and the space around

me and how they made me feel. We live somewhere that looks like this, we study somewhere that

looks like this, we work somewhere that looks like this and we travel everyday locked up

in this.

In Yangshuo I stayed in a quaint little family run hotel near the banks of Li River. The

place was quintessentially Chinese. Whether I was in my sunny room with a balcony facing

the river, or in the restaurant that was filled with books, tree barks and plants, I was always

very present and calm. In fact almost all the stores and buildings shared this zen like

essence, that made me feel completely relaxed and aware.

That’s when I realized how much the space we are in influences

the way we feel and the way we act. Now contrast this

with steel like concrete structures and tall condos of any major city, where people are

expected to study, work and live in contentment.

I am always amazed at our bee like existence when I walk in the busy streets of Hong Kong.

Incredibly lean and tall buildings cover the sky, and sharp bent street corners always

takes me my surprise. One thing I register subconsciously but never register is the fact

that I could the whole day without seeing the horizon in these cities. Contrast that

with the unobstructed view of the horizon from a sea shore. Seeing the horizon is akin

to seeing the possibilities, gaining a faraway perspective.

When you are in a mountain top, you feel that vastness, that faraway perspective, and when we contrast

that with constant obstructions in a crowded city, we start to get an idea of how our subconscious

react to our environment.

Countless psychological research suggests that even colors play a huge part in triggering

certain emotions. The blue of the ocean and sky signifies creativity, solution, and trustworthiness,

while red is often associated with solid focus and aggression. Green often signifies peace,

stability, abundance of nature and prosperity. On a bitter cold day, inside the dark subway,

a swath of people, mostly wearing dark toned jackets, looking all miserable. This is often

the scene when I lived in Toronto, one of the coldest cities in the world. In the winter

the city is riddled with monotone darkness without any color, add to that similar looking

glass condos devoid of any design. Our brains will definitely have a reaction to this. A

kind of unmotivated lethargy was mine.

Collin Ellard, a researcher in the University of Waterloo, Canada studies the psychological

impact of the city design. One of Ellard’s most consistent findings is that people

are strongly affected by building façades. If the exterior of the building is complex

and interesting, it affects people in a positive way; and negatively if it is simple, featureless

and monotonous. For example, when he walked a group of subjects past the long, smoked-glass

frontage of a Whole Foods store in Lower Manhattan, their arousal and mood states took a dip towards

negative states, according to the wristband readings and on-the-spot emotion surveys.

They also quickened their pace as if to hurry out of the dead zone. They picked up considerably

when they reached a stretch of restaurants and stores, where they reported feeling a

lot more lively and engaged.

Writer and urban specialist Charles Montgomery, in his book Happy City warns, “As suburban

retailers begin to colonize central cities, block after block of bric-a-brac

and mom-and-pop-scale

buildings and shops are being replaced by blank, cold spaces that effectively bleach

street edges of conviviality.” He points to this as an emerging disaster in street psychology.

A number of studies have shown that growing up in a big city doubles the chances of someone

developing schizophrenia and increases the risk of other mental disorders. The reason

behind this is a poignant lack of social bonding. Countless researches have shown that urban

living can change the brain biology in some people.

Sociologist William Whyte, once advised urban planners to arrange objects and artifacts

in public spaces in ways that nudged people physically closer together so that they would

likely talk to each other, a process he called “triangulation.”

A striking character of any big city is its tendency to induce a constant sense of being

lost or disoriented

Conscious cities is a concept which proposes that we replace the

focus on efficiency in the built environment with a focus on health and well being. One

of the major themes of Conscious Cities is to bridge neuroscience, architecture and technology.

It works on the basis that your environment is nothing but an extension of your nervous

system, a sort of an extended mind.

One of the most popular phrases that I’ve been hearing recently as a response to this

ongoing pandemic is “We are all in this together”. From celebrities to social activists

have been stressing that we are all in this pandemic together, and how it is somehow the

great equalizer. But the more I think about this, the more I realize that it doesn’t

make any sense. If anything the opposite rings true.

If you were already in a good place economically prior to this pandemic, you definitely have

a completely different experience as opposed to some one who are economically disadvantaged.

For example, two of my acquaintances, who are in different places economically have

different perspectives and reactions to this pandemic. One has a house with a garden and

car which gives them access to different places including lone hike trails, while the other

lives in a single room basement, only relying on public transportation. Never before in

recent history, an event made it brutally clear that no, we are not all equal.

But understanding human beings’ response to buildings, architecture, design and city

planning, and focusing on health and wellness, instead of monetary effectiveness, might be

the first step towards our collective psychological stability. It could even start from your own house

After my trip to Yangshuo, the first thing I did is to decorate my empty bare bones of

an apartment. Having plants inside the house, a simple zen garden with collected pebbles,

some art work here and there did wonders to my mental state.

So next time, when you feel anxious or stressed, take a look at your immediate environment,

it might reveal a lot more than you give it credit for. A simple act of opening the window

to let the sunshine in, can make a world of difference

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