Human Response to Color

Human response to color

Theories of color have long been discovered in our history.  It was suggested the principles of color theory first appeared in the writings and notebook of Leone Battista Alberti (c.1435) and Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1490) respectively.  Furthermore In 1666, Isaac Newton developed the Newton color circle (fig.1).  He also suggested white light is a light that contain all wavelengths of the visible spectrum.  From looking at those, it suggests color theory has a long history, however, do we know how color could affect our mood?

Different color holds a different meaning and in different cultures, certain color has different meaning.  For example, in western cultures, the color white carries a positive connotation and it is being associated with brides, angels and peace (fig.2).  In parts of the eastern culture, the meaning is completely the opposite; it is associated with funerals and death (fig.3).  Some years back when I was working for an architectural firm, I remember I was involved in designing a clubhouse for a residential project in china.  We incorporated a blue tint glass for the façade without knowing the full meaning of that blue tint.  It was a very good lesson learnt, as the scheme was rejected by the clients.  The reason being is that, the blue hue we used is actually associated to dead people.  As designers, we should be more careful when incorporating different colors in our projects, as they could mean something bad in different culture, and in turn create a negative reaction to the users.

Color is closely related to temperature, color is said to be warm or cold.  In respect to that, different color could be used to create a warm or cold sense to a space.  A study conducted by Itten 1961, the study involved a group of people sat in rooms painted in blue and red respectively.  The group in the blue room felt cold at a higher temperature when compared to the red room. 

Many studies have been conducted related to our built environment to see if different color could affect human psychologically.  In 1949, Moruzzi and Magoun conducted a study involving Parkinson patients.  In this study, observations of the patient’s pathological conditions were recorded when they were placed in red and green rooms.   The observation shows that, patient’s condition in the red room actually worsened, and in the green room the condition improved.  Another study conducted by Gerrard in 1957, here brain scans were taken when the person were shown different color.  The results show that red hue could increase brain activity, whereas the activity reduced with blue, green hue.  Those studies are just the few from the many studies and researches.  However, it is hard to determine a solid conclusion to which color actually effect human in a certain way, as some of the study showed very contrasting results.  Having said that, we do know why color could impact our emotion, color stimulates the nervous activities of the hypothalamus (fig.4) -a part of the brain which controls our hormones; in turn impacts our emotions. 

Reference –

http://yorgonestoridis.com/web-design/web-design-color-theory/

http://thecia.com.au/reviews/b/bride-wars.shtml

http://dying.lovetoknow.com/Culturally_Creative_Expressions_of_Grief

http://forums.luxology.com/discussion/topic.aspx?id=33890

http://www.home-designing.com/2008/11/bizarre-themed-rooms

http://popdose.com/tag/hypothalamus/

Human Response to educational Environments

Human Response of Children in the Built Interior Environment

Educational environment plays a very important role in the development of children.  I could remember going to school in Hong Kong, where the confined classrooms were filled with 30 to 40 pupils (fig.1 shows in sketch of the layout of one of my classroom).  All the educational activities were done in the same classroom; even lunches would be delivered to the door and dished out to pupil’s desk (fig.2 shows a sketch of the desk I used to work on).  Therefore, apart from the morning breaks, we would spend the whole day in the same classroom.  Freedom to communicate and move around the school was very restricted back then.  However, I know the schools in Hong Kong are changing recently, in terms of the way children are taught and the systems of the schools. 

Educational spaces are much more fun to work in when compared to the past.  Fun spaces would encourage children to interact more in the class.  Designers could incorporate brighter colors or themes into designated spaces to attract the children, enhancing the connection of children to the educational environment (fig. 3 shows a Noah Ark themed educational space at the Skirball children learning center.)

Classroom layouts should be flexible to accommodated multi function or different activities of classes.  For example, tables and chairs should be easily movable to suit the needs of different class activities (fig.4 shows the node chair by IDEO, it has wheels at the base of the chair, offering the ease to shift and transform classroom layouts to suit different activities.)  Similarly, teacher median should not be fixed to one location, as this will restrict the freedom of transforming the layout of classroom. 

Lighting in classrooms also plays a very important role in the development and performance of children in class.  In the Robert Gifford book (p.338), a study suggested children in a classroom with daylight paid more attention to the teacher when compared to the ones without daylight.  Hence, reading scores were higher in the class with daylight.  Looking at those evidences, I could say it is essential to bring natural light into classrooms wherever possible (fig. 5 shows a classroom filled with natural light)

Noise is another element that designers should design for in educational environments.  In a study conducted by Arline Bronzaft from the Gifford book (p.333), the study consists of two classrooms, one had a frequent train passing by and the other had a relatively quiet background.  The study shows that, reading scores were lower in the class with train background.   Therefore, unwanted noises can be very distracting, and in turn, it could affect the performance of the children and teachers.  Designers should incorporate acoustical treatments to classrooms where distracting noise are present. 

Reference –

http://www.handycrafuniqe.com/interior-design-for-noahs-ark-at-the-skirball-children-learning/

http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/node-chair-boosts-up-learning-in-contemporary-schools/

http://www.tah2.org/think/spaces/light

Human Response to Residential Environments

Creating Comfort at Home

I recently had a human response class on residential design, we talked about big houses or a space within a house doesn’t always bring comfort to the users.  It was fascinating to see how a home could be comfortable in a smaller and confined space.  We looked at architect Sarah Susanka, who was the author of The Not So Big House.  In all of her residential projects, she showed comfort could be achieved through beautiful made, simple, functional small spaces inside a house.  She also pointed out that, well made things last and people tends to preserve them.  I think this is true not only in our living environments, but also in every other part of our lives.  As a designer, it is essential to keep the balance between the functional aspect and the arts crafts of the project.  The project won’t be successful if either one of those elements were missing. 

Furthermore, I feel that users are equally as important as the elements mentioned above.  This is because, different people rates comfort differently, and therefore to create a comfortable living environment, designers must first understand the users of the spaces.   Designers should pay attention to the characteristics of the users, such as values, personality, culture, gender, age, occupation and etc.  All those elements would influence the desires of the users.  For example, designing for a female living space would be very different to designing for a male.  Therefore it is essential to tailor make the living space for the users.  What does a female space need?  What does the user expect the space to have to suit their needs?  Many questions would need to be asked before any designing begins. 

To create a comfortable home would require communication with the users, to understand their needs.  Hence design and make a well crafted and functional place that meets the requirements of the users.

Human Response to Residential Environment

Needs in Multi Family Housing

High rise apartments are the most common type of housing in Hong Kong.  This is due to the fact that, to the lack of land to house such a high population, therefore developing vertically is the only answer for the time being.  I cannot record spending a week in other types of housing, other than an apartment.  However, if I had the chance to choose which type of housing to live in, I would still prefer to live in an apartment.  Elements such as culture, background, financial have influenced my chose.  On the other hand, I could say Americans tends to prefer single family housing over the multi family housings.  As a study by William Michelson in the Gifford Book (p.246) suggests, over 50 percent of people were satisfied in single family housing, where as less than 25 percent were satisfied in multifamily housing.  There are many results to why people would prefer living in single family housing than in multi storey apartments; this might be due to some physical or psychological concerns related to multi family living.

Spaces are very limited in some of the apartments I have lived in.  Designers are continuously finding new ways to generate multi functional spaces within small compartments.  Performance should not be limited than small spaces, therefore, having multi functional spaces are very essential inside the small apartments.  (fig.1) is an example of multi functional space, where different functional spaces are hidden behind those movable walls.

Noise is a major problem in multifamily housing.  All the units are separated by a partition walls and ceilings; usually they are very thin and without any acoustical treatment (fig.2).  It can be quite disturbing at times to hear what our neighbors are doing.  I remember from some time ago, I was living in a unit under a family with two kids.  Almost every Saturday morning, I used to get woken up by crying noises, ball bouncing, or moping floor.  I used to get really upset, as that was the only morning that I could sleep in.  If only the walls and ceiling could be treated with acoustic materials, then all those unwanted noises wouldn’t be a problem in multifamily housing.

Privacy could be another concern in some apartments.  As the units are so closely put together, privacy could be hard to come by.  For example, balconies are so closely placed or something they could be linked together only separated by a thin partition (fig.3).  If ones were to step out onto the balcony they would have to be careful of what they wear or what they do, as other tendencies might see.  Furthermore, the location of windows could also provide concerns to ones privacy.  From the apartment I live in back in Hong Kong, I remember I could see my neighbors of the next block through the windows of my living room.  Architects should pay more attention to the direction of each unit facing before placing the windows. 

Nature tends to be very limited in multi story housing.  All the living units are elevated above ground therefore people would be disconnected to nature.  Bring nature together with our built environment is very essential to our well being.  In multi story housing, plants or other means of nature could be incorporated into the public space such as lift lobbies and staircase or even a designated floor could to be used as an outdoor garden (fig.4). 

Reference –

Human Response to Nature

Using Biophilia in Furniture and Furnishing Design to Evoke Human Response

What is Biophilia? It is a term created by E.O. Wilson to describe "our sense of connection to nature and other forms of life."  In our built environment, architects and designers have been finding ways to incorporate plants into our spaces.  Green roofs and green walls (shown in fig.1 and 2 below) have been invented to enhance our connection with nature within their built environments. 

I can say that, historically, furniture designers have been creating Biophilia furniture, because there were evident of connection with nature in the furniture.   From the trip to high museum, I saw a lot of furniture from the past were made with wood.  Hence, designers would carve nature elements such as animals or plants motifs into their designs (shown in fig.3.)  As technique and technology improves.  I feel that the Biophilia furniture should offer more in terms of visual connection. 

In my opinion, Biophilia furniture of the modern day should be able to connect the users to natural mentally and physically, therefore ones could see, smell and feel nature.  Recently, designers have found new ways to incorporated nature into our furniture.  For example, the growing chair by Michel Bussien (shown in fig.4).  

The chair has a polycarbonate frame which is filled with living plants.  

Furthermore, the shower mat (shown in fig.5) has a rubber base which houses different types of moss.  The moss would provide a soft surface to stand and they would take in all the water drops from your body when you exit the shower. 

I also feel that Biophilia furniture does not have to be entirely made with natural materials, or they could be made by manmade materials.  As long as they could represent, remind or connect humans with nature in some way, then they would be Biophilia furniture.  For example, (fig.6) shows some pebbles inspired cushion designs.  Although the cushion would not have the hardness of the pebbles, but it could still visually connect the users to the nature.  

Another example I have experienced is that, every time I see or lay into a hanging swing chair, it would automatic remind me of the beach and the palm trees.  

Reference-

http://dallasgreenbuildingalliance.com/planning-design/design-strategies/green-wall-technologies/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/chinas_learning.php

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/furniture.htm

http://fashiontribes.typepad.com/main/2006/12/stylehive_buzz__4.html

http://www.thegreenchildren.org/tgcf/foundationpress/tag/history/

Human Response to Nature

Human Response to Nature

Global Warming and Natural Disasters

I will begin with talking about how nature can affect our built environment.  As we all know, nature can be destructive to our environment.  Human beings are constantly abusing nature, and as a result, causing global warming and climate change.  Most notable example might be the recent snowstorm in parts of Australia, keeping in mind it was during the summer (shown in the image below.)  In the last decade, some very damaging natural disasters have stroke many cities throughout the world, taking millions of lives and billions of money to rebuild.  If only the houses were designed to withstand typhoons, earthquakes and floods, those lives might have been saved.  I wonder if those rebuilt houses were designed to withstand the natural forces.

How should designers build for our natural environment?

Not until most recently, designers have taken sustainable designs or building for our nature environment seriously.  As designers, we should be more considerate to nature when we are designing, hence the designs should be able to withstand and reduce the damage of nature disaster.  I remember some years ago, that there was a building project at Maosi Village, in China, carried out by a group of architecture students in the CUHK.  The students had to design and build a bridge to help the local villagers to cross the unpredictable flooding stream, which separates the village to nearby school and market.  The group used mostly local materials such as pebbles, stones, and bamboo to build the bridge (shown in the images below).  It was a very successful project in terms of consideration to nature by using local building materials and design to withstand natural forces of flooding.

How important is bringing nature into our built environment?

The interaction with nature is essential to our well-being, and many researchers have proved that.  For example, a study conducted by Roger Ulrich shows that, a patient with a view of natural environment would recover faster than ones without.  Another example shows that by viewing nature could reduce stress level by lowering the blood pressure.  Here, three groups of student were shown three different video clips, the group which saw the clip with nature shows recovery from stress.  Recently I carried out an observation on how human response to nature inside the Georgia Aquarium.  People were very calm and relaxed when they were looking at the marine creatures.  I also recorded the level of joy and excitement increased when people were closely interacting with nature.  Although we acknowledge the importance of bringing nature into our environment, yet the connection with nature is very limited in today’s built environment.  

Reference-

http://www.homeaway.com/info/ownercommunity/security-and-screening/home-security/preparing-for-natural-disasters

http://www.arch.cuhk.edu.hk/server1/staff1/edward/www/b2c/en/gallery/gallery002.htm

http://www.ihatethemedia.com/global-warming-update-summer-snow-strikes-australia

Human Response to Sound and Light

The elements of Sound and Light are both very essential in our built environment.  By correctly incorporating them into spaces, they could determine our level of concentration; enhance the function of a space, affect our mood and etc.  However, when used incorrectly, they would have a negative result, affecting our physical and mental health, reducing the level of productivity and etc.  So how does human response to sound and light in the built environment?

Sound in an interior space

It is suggested by much evidence in the Gifford book, that noise could hamper performance by interfering with information processing, lowering ones perception of control and increasing stress level.  Gifford also said that gender, personality, mood and ones intelligence could determine ones level of adaptation to noise. 

In the educational environment, unwanted sound can be very distracting.  A study conducted by Arline Bronzaft which measures the reading ability of two classes under different environments.  The results show that the reading ability is lower in the classroom with the distraction noises from passing by trains.  I had similar experiences in my education environment; I remembered I was very distracted by the loud noises from the hub during my interior design class.  As designers, we should look for ways to prevent unwanted sounds from entering ones space, this should include all kinds of different environments not just in educational spaces.  There are many ways of tackling such problem, one would be installing sound absorbing materials where it is needed, and another might be locating quiet spaces in areas of limited or distraction free zones. 

Music or sounds on the other hand, could be used to create different moods within a space.  For example, the resting chair inside the hub uses smooth jazz music to create a calm environment.  In Spa treatment rooms also applies sounds to create similar results.  They use nature sounds such as river stream or singing birds to help reduce stress level of a person. 

Lighting

Light is a fundamental element inside an interior space.  We need lights to light up a space so that we could navigate and perform.  Apart from those fundamental functions, there are also different elements of lighting such as the color, intensity, location and types of light; all makes it a complex and essential part of the interior space.

Interiorly speaking, different color could be used to create different mood within a space, this is the same case with lighting.  For example, green and blue hue lighting could create a calmer environment, whereas red and orange hue creates a more arousing atmosphere.  I can recorded from my observation study at the Georgia Aquarium, that the interior atmosphere showed calmness under a blue hue of the marine. 

The intensity of lighting is a very important element in determining the level of comfort within a space.  Lights that are too bright can cause dizziness to people, and when they are too dim ones would feel very tired.  The level of intensity should to design according to ones preference and the function of the space.

Many people suggested that fluorescent lighting might have a negative effect on ones performance and health.  Furthermore, a report in the Gifford book shows that sodium vapor lamp could promote eyestrain, nausea and headaches.  On the other hand, studies have shown that natural light helps to promote performance and well being and it is free.  Keep in mind all those benefits, I like it is essential to bring natural sunlight into interior spaces where ever possible.  

References –

http://hubpages.com/hub/Ringing-In-My-Ears

http://www.moodstreams.com/images/Water%20over%20rocks%20Sabbaday%20web2.jpg

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=93987&page=3

http://setmiami.com/dev/stock/images/1-1297896563.jpg

Ergonomics

Benefits of Good Ergonomic Design and Connection to Positive Human Response

Good Ergonomic chair

Poor Ergonomic chair

Good Ergonomic designs can bring comfort and higher productivities, which in turns create a good experience for the users.  Chairs for example, they need to be ergonomically well designed to support and maintain our sitting posture.  The images below shows two chairs, one is very good ergonomic and the other less so ergonomic.  The better chair offers an adjustable height; adjustable seat cushion, adjustable armrests, and both the back support head rest are adjustable.  People with different size and height can custom the chair to match their needs for good posture.

Furthermore at our work station, Work top should be at a comfortable height, allowing our arms to be at a right angle hen working. Computer screens should be placed on the same level as our eyes, also at a distance of 20 to 26 inches to ourselves.  Enhancing the level of our comfort when working, can promote a healthy working posture and increase our productivity. 

Pull down cupboard

Bad posture when working at the kitchen worktop

In our Homes, poor ergonomics also affects us, such as the overhead storage spaces are too high to reach, kitchen work top too low to work on, location of light switches makes us walk unnecessary distances.  If our kitchen work top can be pulled up to the comfortable height when needed, then we don’t have to bend our backs to prepare our food.  Our over head cupboards could take influence from the over head storage of the planes, where the doors could be pulled down instead of outwards.  That way we don’t have to stand on our toes or chairs to get to the top shelves.  They could all improve our living standards, creating a better, more efficient and safer living environment.

Reference-

http://www.luxurybathandkitchens.com/access.html

http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com/images/99938?group=849141884

http://common.csnstores.com/common/marketing/office_chairs/freedomoptions.jpg&imgrefurl

http://www.officefurniture2.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/computer-station-ergonomics

http://swivelchair.blog.com/