Three AIA [American Institute of Architects] chapters collaberated in the creation of Design DC, a professional architectural conference, held at the Washington, DC Convention Center in February of 2005. The following article is about the conference. Psychology and architecture
What does a depth psychologist find at an architectural conference? You might first ask, "What is depth psychology?" With its origins in the work of Freud and Jung, depth psychology seeks to know what lies below the surface of conscious awareness as revealed via creative acts, symptoms, dreams, ideas, and other non-volitional experiences. It also considers what is not said/done as well as what is said/done as a way of understanding the human psyche vis a vis the social and physical landscape of which we are all a part. Deep psychology Drawing on the insights of history, mythology, literature, anthropology, philosophy, and the arts, and using tools such a deep listening, dialoguing, narrative, and imagining, depth psychology offers multiple reflective and interpretive lenses. Psychological effects of architecture Recognizing that the psychological effects and implications of architecture may be something which is considered, but not always given voice to, I attended various seminars with my depth psychological attuned ears wide open to find out if and how things psychological were discussed or not. My reflections are based solely on my experience of each particular seminar, are by no means exhaustive, and are not intended to be generalizable. Architecture and group cohesion
With a nod to Freud and Jung, I, pulled up my imaginary couch and put my first patient on it: the Kentlands' seminar. Amongst other points, the presenter noted that the New Urbanists' approach delineates what type of structure/structural elements fit well in particular contexts, which from a psychological point of view speaks to a group cohesiveness model.
The outsider vis a vis the group
Group cohesiveness of an informal group, such as a section of a neighborhood, varies widely based upon shared values, goals, and level of interdependence. Curiously, one of the methods of strengthening group cohesiveness is having something/someone that does not fit well which is perceived as other and/or does not seem to contribute to the harmony of the group. Depth psychology would wonder, how this phenomenon is or is not factored in to the Transect model? Paradoxically, the architects and planners should plan to put in the "outsider" to hold the remaining community together. Circling all the issues
There was mention of a desire on the part of the Kentlands' founders to "create a cohesive sense of place; a place people can feel a part of; a place shared by everyone." A depth psychological approach to achieving these goals would entail using numerous projective exercises and/or a perspective-giving-tool called the hermeneutic circle methodology, which involves putting an issue, question, or concern in the center of the circle and those affected by the issue at points around the perimeter. The center is then considered through each lens point on the perimeter. The result of these discernment processes is a fuller understanding, including unimagined challenges, and more refined and actionable data. Going to court On the Georgetown Law Center tour the narrative of each space came to life: we could begin to imagine the feeling of being in front of the Supreme Court sitting in their moot court. In addition, as is often the case when someone gives voice to a structure's narrative, stories emerge which were not apparent for they are held by the space until someone "releases" them by telling them.
From court to courting
We moved from the Supreme Court to the supreme source of stress relief. In the state of the art well-appointed gym, our building tour guide first spoke about the equipment and wiring limitations. Then, through him the building told us something more: the law students of today were much more stressed than students in the past, so the law school wanted to court today's students put in the well-equipped gym for them to discharge their stress.
Using buildings psychologically
When architects want to create communities or reduce stress for the occupants of their buildings, they are often unknowingly using their architectural designs in service of occupants' psychological well-being. Buildings have the power to determine how we feel, as well as how we function. Architects and builders would be wise to Inviting a psychologist to "pull up a couch" the drawing board to insure that the psychological effects of the built environment are being considered.
About the Author
Katherine Grace Morris, Ph.D. is the "Environmental Therapist." She has a doctorate in depth psychology, and is the pioneer of the "psychology of setting." She uses a client's setting -- home, business, etc. to solve clients' problems with themselves or with their employees. Change is easier when the body leads. Changing the setting leads the body and the head follows. www.psychologyofsetting.com
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