Category Archives: Health

How Boston’s Glassy Seaport Fails + Why It Always Will!

Posted on July 27, 2019 by

A recent article in the Boston Globe Magazine, 15 Things to Love and 11 Things to Loathe about Boston, labels the newest glassy section of the city “soulless” something people “loathe,” calling Boston’s Seaport District a “bland cityscape, a tract of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Imagine No Cars !

Posted on June 6, 2019 by

“Imagine there’s no autos It’s easy if you try Only healthy walking And cycling ‘neath the sky” —A riff on John Lennon’s, Imagine Visitors to Kyoto, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Porto and Paris don’t have to imagine – they already have miles … Continue reading →

Posted in City Planning, Cycling, Exercise, Health, People-centric Design, Walkability | Leave a comment

A Trip to Tahoe: Walking the California/Nevada Divide

Posted on June 20, 2018 by

When I asked the concierge for directions to cafes and shops, he told me to walk three blocks to the traffic lights, then turn right to California or left to Nevada. “You’ll see the difference,” he said. Indeed. Little did … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Health, People-centric Design, Walkability | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wellness Walls: A Look at Leaves and their Long-lasting Allure

Posted on November 17, 2017 by

Last week’s GreenBuild/ ABX2017Expo in Boston boasted a mind-boggling 550+ exhibitors and 75+ product categories focused on sustainable building—from insulation to solar panels. As the escalator descended to the 12-acre exhibit space, I felt that Robin Williams’ Moscow on Hudson … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Health, Primal Vista, STEM | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Park Benches Where No One Sits

Posted on February 17, 2017 by

If the goal of the bench is socialization, safety, scenery and shelter, why do these benches face busy streets, blank walls and parking lots? Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Health, People-centric Design | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Genetics of Garden Design

Posted on July 6, 2016 by

Architecture is not just about houses and buildings—it’s also about gardens and landscapes. In the Genetics of Design, we write about how design affects biology and how biology affects design. Well-designed spaces make people feel comfortable and safe. They mesh … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Design, Exercise, Health, People-centric Design, Walkability | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Joy of Modern Houses

Posted on September 25, 2015 by

The first time I toured a modern house, it was love at first sight. Heart racing. Pulse pounding. Face flushing. Love. Or maybe lust. Either way, once I met a house with cathedral ceilings, I never went back. Humongous windows. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Design, Health | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment