Post Occupancy Evaluations

A newly created building may be conceptualized as the realization of assumptions by the designer about human relations and human responses.

In the UK

Systematic studies using observation methods, structured and unstructured interviews and survey techniques are being used more and more in studies of buildings after completion (called Post Occupancy Evaluation—or POE studies).

Should these studies be considered as evidence of the practical success of architectural psychology?

In Australia

POE studies have made virtually no inroads into the practical work of private architects. This appears to contradict the idea that the value of POE methods is widely recognized.

A POE study may simply highlight the deficiencies either in the assumptions which both client and architect brought to the design, or in the architect’s ability to design appropriately for specific behavioural requirements.

There is a greater potential for loss than gain.

Education and The Way Forward

The long-term effectiveness of architectural psychology must be achieved through the education of architectural students.

If the profession is to differentiate itself in a socially useful way, then the emphasis on building and building science must be much reduced, and the emphasis on people (and on effective communication with users and clients) must be increased.

If architectural psychology is to be ‘successful’ change must take place.

The difficulty of modifying deeply entrenched beliefs is the greatest barrier to achieving any kind of practical success for architectural psychology.

Is academic architectural psychology prepared to meet the challenge of measuring its success in terms of practical outcomes rather than theoretical research?

Diversity of Users

Though the general principles of architectural psychology and environmental psychology remain universal throughout a wide range of user groups, care must be taken to design as per the psychological needs of specific users such as children, the elderly, victims of trauma and abuse, intellectually challenged persons, differently abled persons, women, minorities, and so on. The design considerations for each user group may differ slightly based on the the type of spaces designed for each, and the overall program of the project.

Multiplicity of Functions

While architectural psychology must be applied to the design of all spaces to elicit good health and well-being of humans, some architectural programs and projects require special consideration. These include rehabilitation and recovery centers, architecture for healthcare and well-being, architecture for wellness, centers for learning for children and students, centers for therapy and alternative forms of therapy, architecture catering to the elderly, palliative and restorative architecture, and experiential architecture such as war memorials or museums depicting traumatic events in history. These architectural programs evoke strong emotions in humans and care must be taken through design strategies that these spaces bring out the intended feelings among users.

Role of Nature, Landscape, and Soft Design

It has been proven through multiple studies, experiments and reports in the field of environmental psychology that nature and landscape play a major role in safeguarding human health and well-being. The role of softer interventions of a human scale in urban atmospheres can bring out positive reactions from the general public thus making urban spheres more conducive for community driven initiatives and activities.

Integration of Theories

To create spaces which invoke the intended emotions, it is recommended that design strategies employ multiple theories in addition to architectural psychology, such as: environmental psychology, human-centric design, multi-sensory design, empathetic design, participatory design, neuroarchitecture.