Evaluating Stress Relief from Architecture: A Case Study Based on Buildings in Taiwan, China and Japan

Ming-Chyuan Ho and Yung-Chia Chiu
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Ming-Chyuan Ho: Department of Industrial Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu 643, Taiwan
Yung-Chia Chiu: School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu 643, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: The urban landscape can be improved to reduce the stress experienced by citizens. Therefore, stress-relieving buildings constitute a crucial topic and a future trend in architecture and design. In this study, different architectural styles were investigated to explore design methods for and characteristics of stress-relieving building shapes and to identify indicators for measuring participant stress relief while viewing buildings. To understand stress relief from architecture, we performed semi-structured interviews with 60 participants who viewed images of 30 buildings. The semantic differential method with a 7-point image scale was used to rate stress relief from different architectural styles. The study results revealed that the participants perceived curvilinear buildings as interesting but do not relieve stress. The participants identified as feeling high pressure considering rectilinear patterns to relieve more stress. To support this observation, we identified three principles—city image, identity, and spiritual atmosphere—as fundamental loci of designing cities for livability. We illustrate the three principles with several cases that facilitate a detailed understanding of their applicability in biodesign practices.

Keywords: stress-relief image; evaluating; building shape (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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