Space and behavior – Human responses to intentional environments

Architects and other designers/planners have a responsibility for being knowledgeable about how their designs affect the people who use them. When people’s needs are adequately addressed, there can be many positive results. Health care recipients can experience less stress and recover more quickly. Student learning in schools and classrooms can be enhanced; office workers may have higher levels of performance and job satisfaction (and fewer work related illnesses), etc. Thus, it is critical to learn how to design humane, useful, and enriching places and spaces.

This course helped the students examine the many ways in which humans respond to (and often modify) both private and public space. Human responses to the environment, including behavioral, emotional, perceptual, and cognitive reactions, issues such as privacy, safety, usability, way-finding, satisfaction, wellness, comfort, etc. were examined in various environmental settings (e.g., residential, healthcare, educational, work, entertainment, etc.).