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Self Discovery
A Pluralistic Guide to the Psychology of Place: Recommended Readings on Environmental Psychology, Placemaking and Architectural Design
This pluralistic introductory reading guide brings together foundational texts on the psychology of place, from environmental psychology and behavioural research to phenomenology, neuroarchitecture and urban studies. Ideal for architects, designers and students seeking to understand how people perceive, experience and respond to the built environment.
Nov 23, 20259 min read
Architecture as a System: Applying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory to the Built Environment
Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1979) provides a framework for considering the multiple, interacting settings that shape behaviour, cognition, and wellbeing across the lifespan; from immediate physical spaces to broader socio-cultural contexts.
This blog will delve into the theory, its origins, key terms, and relevance to architectural and spatial design. We will also explore how the theory applies to practical design work.
Jun 27, 20259 min read
Gibson’s Affordance Theory in Architecture: Understanding the Design of Possibility
What does a staircase suggest you do? What does a bench quietly invite? In architectural design, not all communication happens through words. Some cues are built into the very shape and material of the environment itself. James J. Gibson’s Affordance Theory offers a way of understanding these unspoken signals, how we instinctively grasp what a space enables, invites, or discourages.
May 18, 20257 min read
Evidence-based Practice: From research to design implementation
Evidence-based Design (EBD) is the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possi...
Sep 24, 20226 min read
Research in Context: The Fundamental-Applied Continuum.
In previous articles, the interface between academia and practice has been mentioned as Environmental Psychology is discussed in each...
Jun 25, 20223 min read
Architecture as a System: Applying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory to the Built Environment
Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1979) provides a framework for considering the multiple, interacting settings that shape behaviour, cognition, and wellbeing across the lifespan; from immediate physical spaces to broader socio-cultural contexts.
This blog will delve into the theory, its origins, key terms, and relevance to architectural and spatial design. We will also explore how the theory applies to practical design work.
Jun 27, 20259 min read
Gibson’s Affordance Theory in Architecture: Understanding the Design of Possibility
What does a staircase suggest you do? What does a bench quietly invite? In architectural design, not all communication happens through words. Some cues are built into the very shape and material of the environment itself. James J. Gibson’s Affordance Theory offers a way of understanding these unspoken signals, how we instinctively grasp what a space enables, invites, or discourages.
May 18, 20257 min read
Integrating insights from Psychology into Design: Three facets of Design Research in Architecture.
Christopher Frayling’s three facets of Design Research include Research into, through, and for Design. They represent different approaches..
May 29, 20238 min read
Prospect-Refuge Theory
The prospect and refuge theory proposes that humans are naturally drawn to spaces that give them opportunities to respond to their needs....
Mar 25, 20237 min read
Biophilia Hypothesis: The basis of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design has its roots in the late 20th century, when research on human-environment relationships flourished. Extensive studies...
Jan 22, 20239 min read
A Pluralistic Guide to the Psychology of Place: Recommended Readings on Environmental Psychology, Placemaking and Architectural Design
This pluralistic introductory reading guide brings together foundational texts on the psychology of place, from environmental psychology and behavioural research to phenomenology, neuroarchitecture and urban studies. Ideal for architects, designers and students seeking to understand how people perceive, experience and respond to the built environment.
Nov 23, 20259 min read
Book Review: Applying Psychology To the Environment
Applying Psychology To the Environment was originally published in 1998 by Hodder & Stoughton as part of a larger series of books.....
Jul 23, 20228 min read
Theories & Studies
Fundamentals
Book Summaries & Reviews
A Pluralistic Guide to the Psychology of Place: Recommended Readings on Environmental Psychology, Placemaking and Architectural Design
This pluralistic introductory reading guide brings together foundational texts on the psychology of place, from environmental psychology and behavioural research to phenomenology, neuroarchitecture and urban studies. Ideal for architects, designers and students seeking to understand how people perceive, experience and respond to the built environment.
Nov 23, 20259 min read
Recalibrating: A Personal Note on Growth, Grief, and Returning to Writing
It was, and in many ways still is, the kind of season that doesn’t announce itself loudly, but quietly unsettles everything. It has led me yet again to a recognition that growth requires parting with old identities and embracing new, sometimes uncomfortable, realities.
May 7, 20253 min read
Integrating insights from Psychology into Design: Three facets of Design Research in Architecture.
Christopher Frayling’s three facets of Design Research include Research into, through, and for Design. They represent different approaches..
May 29, 20238 min read
Architecture Portfolio Design Guide.
As final submissions and upcoming job hunts are fast approaching, it is that time of the year when questions about portfolio design, job ...
Apr 29, 20229 min read
Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs”: Theory Outline (Part 1)
Abraham Maslow's Theory of Human Motivation was first proposed in 1943 following a biographical analysis of people he considered successful.
Jan 10, 20229 min read
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