Why Comfort Isn't Always Good for Us | With Architect Stefan Behling
About this episode
Architect Stefan Behling discusses the implications of modern design on human wellbeing and the concept of comfort.
Does modern design shelter us, or is it cutting us off from the world? Architect Stefan Behling believes that many of today's buildings have turned us into what he calls "humans in captivity”. They keep the temperature constant, shut out the sounds and smells of the outside world, and misunderstand what it really means to be comfortable. As a senior partner at Foster + Partners, Stefan has spent more than thirty years exploring sustainable architecture and human-centric design, working on projects ranging from Apple Park in California to experimental habitats for NASA. In this conversation, we explore what the science of the senses and evolutionary biology can teach us about creating spaces that genuinely support our wellbeing. We discuss why constant comfort isn't always good for us, what space travel reveals about our need for nature, and why design should prioritise the psychological over the physiological. These discussions are intended for general information and should not be considered medical, psychological or professional advice. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional. To hear more from us: Patreon: Watch exclusive…
People in this episode
Host: Matt Gibberd
Guest: Stefan Behling
Topics covered
- modern design
- sustainable architecture
- human-centric design
- wellbeing
- comfort
- evolutionary biology
- nature
Keywords
- architecture
- design
- comfort
- wellbeing
- sustainability
- nature
- psychological design
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Foster + Partners, NASA
Books & works: A Modern Way to Live
Places: Apple Park
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- Martha Beck: What Happens When Home Isn’t Safe?
- Jinny Blom: Why We All Need Somewhere to Hide
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