How can infill architecture improve people’s well-being in both physical and psychological aspects?

Abstract

In current society, people work and live under more pressure than ever before. A finding even shows that people living in denser areas have a higher ratio of mental health issues. In Auckland, more and more people choose to live in the CBD or city fringe districts, which are denser places compared to other districts, because of the city fringe’s convenience and less time is consumed on transportation every day. Followed by that phenomenon, the psychological issues are rising unconsciously. The purpose of this thesis is letting architecture, as a tool, improve occupants’ psychological wellbeing with the consideration of quality physical space. Physical design and psychological considerations are equally important in architecture. With the research of Atelier Bow Wow, an architectural design team who are specializing in mini but quality architectural design, the physical built environment sets up a fundamental aspect for the psychological improvement. Through the individual participation of each unit, social participation in micro public space and the environmental satisfaction of the physical space, place attachment level would be increased. Consequently, psychological well-being can be strengthened.