Author(s) :

Ruilang Li.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

As people spend less time in natural environments due to factors such as urbanization, cultural and lifestyle changes, and technological shifts reducing the need to be outdoors, the need for humanistic architecture has become more and more prevalent in order to maintain mental well-being. Advancements are being made in the research and implementation of architectural design to address emotional needs, but to aid future research, this work aims to emphasize the importance of building structures as environments that truly support and enhance human life. Human-centric architectural design can transform rationalist and modernist paradigms into spaces that foster deep emotional connections between people and their environments. Here, “emotion” transcends aesthetic preference, encompassing complex psychological and social states that promote self-preservation, incorporate collective and individual memory, and foster a sense of belonging on both unique and shared levels. Through an analysis of architectural case studies and interdisciplinary research, this work evaluates design techniques, such as participatory processes, multi-sensory integration, and culturally responsive forms, that translate these emotions into tangible spatial experiences. By examining the interplay between human-centered design and mental health, this research demonstrates how architecture can actively support emotional well-being, addressing challenges like anxiety and disconnection in urban environments. Drawing on examples like the Maison Bordeaux and Ningbo Museum, the paper argues that architecture must prioritize embodied cognition and cultural identity to create spaces that inspire, sustain, and nurture human existence and community cohesion.