Stephen Hodder’s words, if quoted correctly, are shocking. To claim that there is no evidence that good design improves lives shows a complete disconnection with the world of research.
Yes, it is agreed that more needs to be done to evaluate buildings and to invoke a sense of value to what building professionals do. But his comments ignore the extensive research carried out by the Usable Buildings Trust over the last 10-plus years — not to mention the universities of Oxford Brookes, UCL, Cardiff, Bath, Dundee, Cambridge and many more.
Simon Chung
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Is there room for this initiative?
The architecture of our surroundings has no effect on our lives? Of course it does. Ask someone who has lived in a slum whether moving to a new well-designed flat has not only changed their lives but uplifted their spirits.
What also concerns me is how is the RIBA going to fund what is a three-year research project? If it is not going to involve taking on additional staff or hiring consultants, what existing work will need to be stopped or reduced to make room for this initiative?
Owen Luder PPRIBA
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An ergonomist’s view
There is a huge amount of evidence on design impacting on human behaviour. I am an ergonomist and have worked in design and with architects for many years, and it covers all areas of our lives. We know quality of design and environment impacts on wellbeing and health.
The problem comes with the word “architecture” and what that means. That sits in the other discussion about what is an architect. What we are actually talking about is the impact of our total environment on our human behaviours.
Beatrice Fraenkel
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An unanswerable question
The problem is that it is an almost unanswerable question. What you feel in your deepest soul as to the value of architecture doesn’t compute in money terms. It’s the old saw about knowing the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
I am singularly unimpressed by the research from either side of the Atlantic, as I think the scope, aspirations and extent of the studies do not justify the conclusions. In short, I distrust the methodologies and the consequent noises.
I would love to see someone make a good stab at justifying architecture but it may be an unanswerable question like what is the value of blue. Are we dealing in incompatible magisteria?
Chris Phillips
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Postscript
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