Description

Book Synopsis

If you were to design a building that prioritises occupants’ happiness, what would it look like? How would the materials, form and layout support healthy ways of living and working?

Delving into the evidenced-based research on architecture and mental wellbeing, The Happy Design Toolkit helps you to create happier places. It explores how factors, such as lighting, comfort, control over our environments and access to nature, exercise and social interaction, can impact how we feel. Easy-to-understand tips include bringing nature into your developments with roof gardens and living facades and countering social isolation with communal areas that encourage chance interaction. Each of the featured architectural interventions includes an analysis of the wellbeing benefits as well as the potential limitations or associated challenges.

From sparking joy in individual homes and workplaces to encouraging healthier lifestyles through landscaping and urban design, this book demonstrates how wellbeing concepts can be integrated across a range of scales and typologies. Packed with inspiration and advice, The Happy Design Toolkit will breathe new life into your projects and help you create a happier and more inclusive built environment for everyone.

  • Features real-world examples including Marmalade Lane co-housing by Mole Architects, Francis Holland School by BDP, Maggie’s Centre Oldham by dRMM Architects, Kings Crescent Estate by Karakusevic Carson Architects and Happy Street by Yinka Ilori.
  • Over 100 hand-drawn illustrations of design details and elevations.
  • Essential reading for architects, interior designers, landscape architects and students.



Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Introduction & How to use this book

Chapter 1: Light, natural and artificial

Chapter 2: Comfort and materials

Chapter 3: Control and autonomy

Chapter 4: Nature and biophilia

Chapter 5: Aesthetics and legibility

Chapter 6: Activity and exercise

Chapter 7: Social interaction, community and sense of place

Conclusion

References

Index

Image Credits

The Happy Design Toolkit: Architecture for Better

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£33.30

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RRP £37.00 – you save £3.70 (10%)

Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Dec 2025.

A Hardback by Ben Channon

15 in stock


    View other formats and editions of The Happy Design Toolkit: Architecture for Better by Ben Channon

    Publisher: RIBA Publishing
    Publication Date: 01/03/2022
    ISBN13: 9781859469866, 978-1859469866
    ISBN10: 1859469868

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    If you were to design a building that prioritises occupants’ happiness, what would it look like? How would the materials, form and layout support healthy ways of living and working?

    Delving into the evidenced-based research on architecture and mental wellbeing, The Happy Design Toolkit helps you to create happier places. It explores how factors, such as lighting, comfort, control over our environments and access to nature, exercise and social interaction, can impact how we feel. Easy-to-understand tips include bringing nature into your developments with roof gardens and living facades and countering social isolation with communal areas that encourage chance interaction. Each of the featured architectural interventions includes an analysis of the wellbeing benefits as well as the potential limitations or associated challenges.

    From sparking joy in individual homes and workplaces to encouraging healthier lifestyles through landscaping and urban design, this book demonstrates how wellbeing concepts can be integrated across a range of scales and typologies. Packed with inspiration and advice, The Happy Design Toolkit will breathe new life into your projects and help you create a happier and more inclusive built environment for everyone.

    • Features real-world examples including Marmalade Lane co-housing by Mole Architects, Francis Holland School by BDP, Maggie’s Centre Oldham by dRMM Architects, Kings Crescent Estate by Karakusevic Carson Architects and Happy Street by Yinka Ilori.
    • Over 100 hand-drawn illustrations of design details and elevations.
    • Essential reading for architects, interior designers, landscape architects and students.



    Table of Contents

    Acknowledgements

    About the Author

    Introduction & How to use this book

    Chapter 1: Light, natural and artificial

    Chapter 2: Comfort and materials

    Chapter 3: Control and autonomy

    Chapter 4: Nature and biophilia

    Chapter 5: Aesthetics and legibility

    Chapter 6: Activity and exercise

    Chapter 7: Social interaction, community and sense of place

    Conclusion

    References

    Index

    Image Credits

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