Living in an urban environment is demanding. Busy and competitive lifestyles leave people numbed from the effects of stress. Individuals in urban areas are more prone to mental health issues and demonstrate a noticeable lack of personal connection. Rosy city lights and skyscrapers are thorned with rising stress levels, posing an essential question to architects - how do spaces affect wellbeing?
Urban environments are either over or under stimulating our senses, causing physical, mental, and emotional stress. "Contemporary architecture aims to look stunning, technologically advanced, and people-and-environment-friendly", shares Anja Humljan, an architect and founder at Retouch. “However it still falls short of stimulating our senses just enough, and thereby bring us into the present moment”, she tells ArchDaily.
