The Shaping of Us: How Everyday Spaces Structure Our Lives, Behavior, and Well-Being

The spaces we inhabit, from homes and workspaces to city streets, profoundly influence our behavior, health, and personality. Lily Bernheimer's book "The Shaping of Us" explores how the built and natural worlds shape us, revealing insights from environmental psychology, design, and architecture. She argues that reconnecting with the power to shape our spaces is essential for our well-being and that designing environments that echo our natural habitats can promote collective efficacy and reduce crime.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: Trinity University Press,U.S.

The spaces we inhabit, from homes and workspaces to city streets, play a vital role in mediating community, creativity, and our very identity. By delving into insights from environmental psychology, design, and architecture, Lily Bernheimer's book, "The Shaping of Us," explores how the built and natural worlds subtly influence our behavior, health, and personality.

One intriguing concept explored in the book is "ruin porn," which refers to the fascination with decaying and abandoned buildings. Bernheimer argues that this fascination stems from our innate desire to connect with nature and reclaim lost spaces. Through the lens of "ruin porn," she reveals the mysteries of how we interact with the physical spaces around us, and how our surroundings can shape our behavior and emotions.

Another fascinating topic is "ninja-proof seating," which refers to the design of seating arrangements that are intended to prevent individuals from sneaking away or hiding. Bernheimer explores how this concept can be applied to various settings, such as schools, offices, and public spaces, to promote social interaction and reduce isolation.

Throughout the book, Bernheimer demonstrates that for our well-being, we must reconnect with the power to shape our spaces. She explores how our current housing crisis and the dreaded open-plan office can negatively impact our health and productivity. By advocating for more flexible and customizable housing designs, Bernheimer suggests that we can create environments that support our physical and mental well-being.

Bernheimer also highlights the importance of incorporating natural elements into our built environments. She argues that nature has a profound impact on our well-being, and that incorporating natural features such as plants, sunlight, and water can improve our mood, reduce stress, and enhance creativity.

In addition to exploring these topics, "The Shaping of Us" offers practical insights for designers and professionals seeking to create spaces that promote well-being. Bernheimer provides examples of successful design projects that incorporate natural elements and promote social interaction, and she offers tips for designing spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Overall, "The Shaping of Us" is a delightful and accessible read for designers, professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how spaces make us tick and how to fix the broken bits of our world. By delving into the interplay between the built and natural environments, Bernheimer offers a fresh perspective on the importance of design in shaping our lives and communities.

Dimension: 222 x 146 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781595349712