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Category Archives: People-centric Design
Park Benches Where No One Sits
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
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Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Health, People-centric Design
Tagged Architecture, City Planning, Design, Green Spaces, Health, Indoor-Outdoor, Wellness
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The Genetics of Garden Design
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 Garden Design, gardens, Green Spaces, Health, Wellness
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Eye Tracking Architecture: a Pilot Study at the IHCD
In our pilot study at the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), we used eye-tracking technology to understand how people respond to the built environment. Thirty-three test volunteers, aged 18 to 80, viewed more than 60 images of elevations and … Continue reading
Faces of Japan
Have you ever looked at a house and felt it was looking back? Did the windows, doors and threshold resemble a friendly face? Now that I’m attuned to our subconscious bias for faces, I’m on constant lookout for buildings that … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, Patterns, People-centric Design
Tagged face-i-tecture, faces, Patterns
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Planning for People
“First life, then spaces, then buildings–the other way around never works.” Jan Gehl While Boston celebrated the start of the American Revolution on Patriot’s Day this week, the city of Somerville, two miles west, started a different kind of rebellion … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Health, People-centric Design
Tagged City Planning, Design, People-centric Design, Walkability
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People Need Green Space
In 1970, Joni Mitchell sang “they paved paradise to put up a parking lot” to decry the lack of green space in the built environment. Since then, architects, planners and builders have expanded parking lots, widened highways and removed green … Continue reading
