A three-element interplay defines our mental wellbeing: relationships with other people, our biography, and the physical environment within which all this occurs. How does architecture influence our mind state? We feel good if social interactions develop in places suitable for human activities. So, to understand how to promote individual and collective mental health, we must focus on the emotional expectations triggered by personal decisions, and the neurobiological mechanisms of the human brain.
1/ Neurobiological Stress is linked to cardiovascular disease, oxidative cellular processes, and cancer. Urban and architectural design that lacks emotional regulation can promote neurodegenerative processes , including those affecting the hippocampus.
2/ Social By triggering fear and/or anger — two primordial human emotions — an unconsidered spatial configuration can undermine pro-social behaviors, reducing collaboration and increasing mutual distrust.
3/ Psychological Inadequate urban environments and sensory-deprived architecture can cause anxiety, depression, emotional imbalance, loneliness, and boredom.
4/ Physics An unsuitable environment that increases stress also raises the risk of metabolic syndrome — that is, a cluster of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, low HDL cholesterol levels, and obesity.