Subconscious Architecture Blog

What do shapes and colors really have in common with architecture? Can good architecture be built without them? Where do these two areas even fit into the world of architecture?

When looking at architecture it is not only normal to see shapes and colors, I say it is more natural to see those first. But, are we actually seeing a shape and or the true color that’s presented before us? There’s probably a few ways we could answer that question. But the way I’m going to answer it is, it depends on your perspective and perception. For example, if you take the perspective that I have laid before you, in terms of what a shape is, then the answer could easily be no. But if we took the perspective of Shapes help to create definition and outline a parameter, then perhaps we do see shapes when we look at architecture. However you want to look at it is up to you. But keep in mind that shapes are two dimensional not three-dimensional. So when we see architecture, which is a three-dimensional object, We’re not looking at a two dimensional shape. We might objectify it into a two dimensional image in our mind, until we are able to study the object even closer and with more detail. Then that shape becomes what is known as a form. We will talk more about forms in a later post.

What about color? Are we seeing the true colors that are presented before us? On one hand, I can easily say yes. While on the other hand, I can very confidently say no. So, which is right? I’m going to suggest that both are right. Sometimes when we see color on an architectural edifice we see its true self, and there are also times that we don’t. How can both coexist side-by-side? Well, that has everything to do with our perception of the color under the lit conditions we view it. In other words, our brain will process the information as it is received. Should there be anything that obstructs that information or skews it even to the least degree, it is still rendered in the way it was received. Just as a quick example, if you’re wearing sunglasses and you look at the color red, you’re going to see a shade of red that you will perceive as the red color. But it is not the same red that you perceive when you remove those sunglasses. This stands true with any color, whether it’s blue, green, purple, yellow, orange, etc.

Now, if we wanted to go in a completely different direction with this and ask the question do shapes and colors reside in the architectural practice? That would be a huge yes. You cannot very well draw plans and illustrations without using artistic techniques. And the last time I checked, if you draw something on a piece of paper, whether it is digital or analog, it is in essence a two dimensional image. So we can conclude that in the architectural practice it self shapes, and colors do exist for the purpose of illustrative design, as well as crafting a plan for eventual construction.

Now a second word about color, how we view color is also determined by the light bounces off of it. In fact, we would not even perceive color if it weren’t for how that reflective process works. We will get more into this topic when I talk about lighting as well as shade. Not all light is the same and under different lights, the color we see can be different as well. You can prove this theory yourself by taking a white piece of paper and putting it under a warm light, then put it under a white light and see the difference. That piece of paper didn’t change it to color but the light made that piece of paper look different.

Until next post, take care.

Michael

Let’s talk about color. Now I know in my previous post, I said I was going to talk about color theory. However, because of the ambiguity of that topic, I would like to apologize for any misleading notions I may have caused, but more specifically, I would like to address the part of color theory dealing with emotions.

Can color truly invoke an emotion? The answer to that question is quite obvious to some people, but not all. If you are among the people that are unsure of the answer, let me tell you that it is a resounding, yes. But that question is not really sticking to the theme of this blog. The question isn’t can color produce an emotion within us, but rather, why does a specific color produce the emotion within us that it does? Again, we’re trying to look at the subconscious here. Our minds are made up of layers of information. We have a surface layer, that’s where we might experience things through our five senses, our emotions, our feelings, even our thoughts. But we have layers that are even deeper than that. It is those subconscious areas that I aim to address throughout this blog.

Now, back to my question, why does a color produce the emotion within us that it does? One answer could be because of the associations we made at a younger age. We internalized them over the years, which has produced the understanding that we now have of whatever color we are looking at. Keep in mind that there could be endless answers to this question. Why? Because how we interpret and view color is greatly dependent on our surroundings. Things that can shape our understanding of color are our culture, our religion, our areas of interest, and even other people we associate with.

I think it is fair to say that the emotions we have attached to specific colors will most likely differ from person to person. But, could there be a color, or perhaps a few, that could produce the same mental response in most all people? Here’s some food for thought for you. I’m going to suggest that there is a shade of red, and that shade will probably vary from person to person, that can produce feelings of self alertness, and or even pain. Now why? From a very early age in our lives, we learn that there is one thing that is consistent across most all living creatures, we have blood and blood is red.

As a child, we learned that when we are bleeding, there is usually pain involved. When this was the case, we became alert to our new injury and aware of our surroundings to see if there was any more danger. In this alert state our sensory information is more deeply embedded within us. This happens on multiple layers of our brain. Our brain works this way to help us learn, as well as help us protect ourselves in the future, at least in this type of scenario. Even when you see someone else bleeding, whether you realize this or not, you yourself may also slip into an alert state of mind because of the associations you have made with blood, particularly with its color.

Therefore, it could be possible, that when walking through an art exhibit you start feeling alert, troubled, uncomfortable, or even pain like feelings and not realize why. To your conscious it may not make sense at all, but to your subconscious it makes perfect sense. You saw a shade of red which triggered memories associated to that color within your brain. The brain, then decodes the information, re-codes it, and sends it out on its way. We receive it as emotions or feelings that in turn help us learn, be alert, and even warn us of eminent danger. They can also be very quiet and subtle feelings as well. Almost unrecognizable.

Please keep in mind that I am not a psychologist or a neuroscientist. I’m very comfortable saying that they can explain this process in far more detail and depth of information than I ever could. But you get the point I’m trying to make, right? The thing about colors triggering emotion is that it comes from, learned behavior or past experiences. It’s the associations we made with that color or colors that helps us feel the feelings or experience the emotions that we have in connection with them.

I’ve included two articles that make this point as well. If either one seems to be a little biased, try to keep an open mind on it. Everyone has a perspective and may hold their for view.

https://medium.com/@Santhanalakshmip/the-power-of-color-color-emotion-guide-633567e6e596

https://medium.com/@kayas.kabie/color-psychology-is-bullshit-cd214d0f1e4a

Do shapes and colors really have anything to do with architecture? Find out my view on it in my next post. You might be surprised.

Michael

Can a shape invoke deep emotions or cause us to behave a certain way without us fully realizing it?

Before I get too lost in that question, let me explain a little more about shapes. A shape is a two dimensional illustration. Meaning it has a length and a height. Shapes can come in a variety of depictions. Most often we think of circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, etc. But quite literally, there are endless shapes out there. By changing the length, width, bending or stretching it, changing the angle, or even having multiple changes like this in a given illustration, we can create any shape, limited only by our imagination.

So a shape is just a line on a piece of paper that has height and width, right? Well… That is true. But it’s more than just a line on a piece of paper. Shapes have the most impact when used skillfully in an artistic manner. Shapes are so powerful, they can give the illusion of three dimensional space, while still being two dimensional only.

Now, with that under our belt, let’s talk about experiencing shapes. I am going to suggest two main ways we experience shapes. One is on an emotional level and the other is on a cognitive level. Let’s talk about the second one first.

A cognitive experience with shapes

What does it mean to experience shapes cognitively? Well, just that. We are learning about the properties, the associations, that we generally make with a given shape. For example, a child in elementary school learning what a square is for the first time may learn that it has four corners, as to where a circle has no corners. That child has then cognitively connected to that shape a property of it. Or, experienced that shape in a cognitive way. This in turn helps her or him to consciously associate that characteristic and understanding to that particular shape. With more exposure, this information will also influences our subconscious understanding associated with a particular shape.

Experiencing shapes emotionally

We also connect to shapes emotionally. This one is more challenging to explain. Everyone experiences emotion differently. Generally, our emotions are formed through life‘s experiences. It is impractical and completely impossible for us to assume that everyone has had the same life experiences. Making it that our emotional connection to the world around us is identical to one another. We don’t work like that. Even two identical twins experience emotion differently. In fact, if they were together through every single experience in their lives, they still would come out experiencing their world emotionally different from their identical counterpart. However, there are some commonalities across-the-board. And thank goodness for that.

I previously posted an article labeled “Psychology of shapes in Design: how different shapes can affect people behavior” by Deta Ayudhia S. It’s a good article. It is a short and easy read. It makes some interesting points, as well as raises some interesting concepts on how humans relate to shapes. For example, in the first section, where it talks about squares and rectangles, the article suggests that these shapes provide a sense of reliability and security, which in turn can produce a feeling of safety. This may be true for some out there, but for myself, when I see a square, I see rigidity. Which for me produces a feeling of strength. Likewise, when I see a rectangle, I see either a column or a beam (Go figure I’m an architecture student). Either way these two perspectives, from the article and my own, produce an emotion that is very similar if not the same.

So what do you think about the first part of my original question, can I shape invoke deep emotions? While you think about that, try this exercise.

• Get three blank pieces of paper.
• Draw one shape on each piece of paper. A square, triangular, and circle.
• Study each shape independently of the others, and pay attention to your thoughts. Where do your thoughts go? Write those down.
• Next, study the three shapes together and pay attention to how you feel about each one. Write those feelings down. It is OK to shuffle through the pages multiple times in order to reevaluate what you’re feeling for any of the three given shapes.
• Finally, compare your thoughts to your emotions or feelings and see what you find. Do you see any similarities between them? Have you found any evidence that would connect the two together? What have you learned about what your subconscious is saying?

I suggest leaving a day in between steps three and four.

Well, there, you have it folks, a brief post about shapes. I hope you found this post engaging or enlightening. I really hope you do the exercise. And the next topic I plan to tackle is color theory. Also, if you haven’t liked my Facebook page yet, where all my posts end up, click the link below and head on over there to do that. Signing off for now. See you next time.

Michael

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550512964898&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Welcome to my blog about subconscious architecture!

If you have read my first two posts, you know that I originally named this blog the psychology of architecture. However, I needed to change the title in order to convey my actual intentions behind this blog. I have left those first two posts to remind me of this change and to help me remember the focus. The following two paragraphs are basically copied and pasted from the original introduction. I have edited them and I’ve allowed you, the reader, to see those edits in this way. If you see three dots like this … this is where I have cut out text. If you see bold words, this is where I have added new text in order to provide better context.

I decided to start a blog about a topic that I know can have an impact on the way we design today. Early on in my academic career, and more specifically in my architectural studies, I found the way design was taught to be inconsistent with my view of the reason, or the purpose, behind the intended use of the structure. It didn’t seem right to me that a building, which was going to be used by human beings for a specific purpose, was in turn being designed as an art piece. Instead of a calculated design to reinforce to the human mind the intended function of the internal spaces and allow that to drive the overall design of the edifice.

We begin to see hints… to this concept in what is called healthy architecture. In my professional and unprofessional opinion, this is an architectural topic that could use more research. Adding to that is this notion of functional architecture as well. This is where you are designing the spaces for the intended purposes within. Again, this also scratches the surface of what I aim to communicate in my blog, but, I would find it more appropriate… to label my topic as subconscious architecture. What is that? You might be thinking to yourself. That is precisely what I will discuss in this blog. But in short, think of it this way, subconscious architecture deals more with how the architectural designs impact our minds on a subconscious level.

I throw a call out there to all professional designers, students, and faculty who are reading this blog. To design or teach design, not only with human factors in mind and human perception, but what impact they have subconsciously on the us. We can revolutionize the design world by focusing more on the impact to the human mind and less on designing the umpteenth architectural wonder of the world.

Shape, form, light, sound, color, textile, movement, weather and natural elements are some of the topics I will be covering. Please leave respectful comments. I aim to have an interactive experience, as well as, gain new insights from you.

Also, I am the sole editor of this blog. Grammar and punctuation is not my strong point. Please excuse any typos or errors of any kind that you may find.

Michael

After my last post, I realized the direction I was taking was not where I wanted to go with my blog. After some research and consideration, my blog has been renamed Subconscious Architecture. I feel this title gives the proper intentionality of my blog. I will be creating a new introduction here shortly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Michael

I decided to start a blog about a topic that I know can have an impact on the way we design today. Early on in my academic career, and more specifically in my architectural studies, I found the way design was taught to be inconsistent with my view of the reason, or the purpose, behind the intended use of the structure. It didn’t seem right to me that a building, which was going to be used by human beings for a specific purpose, was in turn being designed as an art piece. Instead of a calculated design to reinforce to the human mind the intended function of the internal spaces and allow that to drive the overall design of the edifice.

We begin to see hints and even minor conclusions to this concept in what is called healthy architecture. In my professional and unprofessional opinion, this is an architectural topic that could use more research. Adding to that is this notion of functional architecture. This is where are you are designing the spaces for the intended purposes within. Again, this also scratches the surface of what I aim to communicate in my blog, but, I would find it more appropriate and concise to label my topic as psychological architecture. In other words, designing for the human mind instead of the umpteenth architectural wonder of the world.

Please join me on this journey, where we will discuss shape and form, light and sound, color and textiles, movement and the natural elements. As well as bring each one back to its subconscious impact on the human mind.