Venetian Letter Blog
0 FOLLOWERS
Enjoy blog posts, interviews, books, and events on human-focused architecture and urban design from Venetian Letter. The Blog is an initiative of two
architecture professionals with an aim to encourage a dialogue between science and architecture and create places that benefit human wellbeing.
Venetian Letter Blog
5d ago
Colin Ellard, Places of the Heart: The Psychogeography of Everyday Life.
In this review, I delve into ‘Spaces of the Heart. The Psychogeography of Everyday Life’ by Colin Ellard. The book, which is very close to my professional interests, belongs to the canon of popular science literature and is dedicated to the exploration of how buildings and urban spaces, that is the “scenery” in which our daily lives take place, affect our brains and bodies.
In discussing this topic, Colin Ellard takes a historical-evolutionary perspective, using scientific research to explain how the natural and built env ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
5d ago
Ankita Chachra. Image: Archive of Ankita Chachra
Ankita is committed to building a future where all children and families thrive and flourish. She has over ten years of global experience working on her mission through partnerships with city agencies and the private, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors. She is the Director of Climate Program at Capita, an independent, nonpartisan think tank with a global focus. Previously, Ankita served as the Knowledge for Policy Director at Bernard Van Leer Foundation. She led a multi-functional team responsible for sharing tools, knowledge, and resources f ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
3M ago
Image: Sasha Mk
I am riding in a taxi through Warsaw, Poland. After being nearly destroyed in World War II, the city has undergone extensive reconstruction. The taxi driver tells me: “After the war, Warsaw was rebuilt to resemble Moscow; that’s why we have grid-like, wide streets, and the traffic is not as bad as in other cities.”
But I see it differently. I can imagine Warsaw being organized in superblocks instead. The idea comes from Barcelona, where they close streets to cars between several smaller blocks.
It would create small streets pleasant to walk through, filled with taverns wh ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
3M ago
Wooden furniture and natural windows views contribute to stress decrease during work. Image: vadim kaipov
With each new study, we learn more about the power of a well-designed work environment to affect our stress levels. In a new paper, Isabella P. Douglas of Stanford University and her colleagues examine, among other things, how the presence or absence of windows, natural materials, and diverse representation in artwork can do just that.
Many designers already prioritize creating inclusive and restorative workplaces, and this study adds to the evidence supporting that priority.
The authors f ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
3M ago
Davide Ruzzon. Image: Archive of Davide Ruzzon.
Davide is an architect and director of TA Tuning Architecture in Milan, a team involved in applying neuroscience to the design of buildings and urban spaces. He is the founder and director of the Neuroscience Applied to Architectural Design post-graduate program at the IUAV University of Venice. Davide is also a director and co-founder of an architecture magazine Intertwining and author of the book Tuning Architecture with Humans.
Natalia Olszewska: How did you become interested in the application of neuroscience in architecture?
Davide Ruzzon: I ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
4M ago
Participative workshop organized by fem.spaces. Image: Archive of fem.spaces
The Western civilization is increasingly describing the world in negative terms. According to a recent article in the Financial Times, the last two decades, particularly, have seen a marked increase in pessimistic literature.
And it seems to be no different when it comes to journalism and popular culture. But the actual reality of our daily lives usually looks different. Consider the following quote.
“The old benches, the sound of the brakes, the bell when requesting a stop, all while passing through the neighborhood ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
4M ago
Sophia Schuff. Image: Archive of Sophia Schuff.
Sophia is a passionate advocate for designing cities that prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet. As a Director at Gehl, an urban design practice on a mission to create more equitable, healthy, and sustainable cities, she leads the Foundation and Philanthropy Team. In this role, she guides her team in shaping change in neighborhoods and communities towards better health. Sophia’s commitment to enhancing the quality of urban spaces stems from her background as an anthropologist and deep understanding of the human experience within ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
4M ago
London Natural History Museum. Image: Joshua Rawson-Harris
In today’s fast-paced world, where we are constantly bombarded with information and demands, finding a place to unwind and rejuvenate is more important than ever. The concept of “restorative spaces” addresses this need, providing a haven for mental recovery and relaxation.
So far, we have mostly associated these restorative spaces with natural environments. Spending time in forests, lakes, meadows, and hills is a favorite restorative pastime for many.
Research has often compared the effects of natural environments to typically harsh ur ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
6M ago
Connection to nature is fundamental to promote well-being. Having the opportunity, within cities, to engage in nature settings and have views on greeneries can reduce stress and promote cognitive restoration. Image: Boudewijn Boer
Authors: Connie Lin, Claire Daugeard, Anja Kluge
Due to the growing mental health crisis, society has shifted its focus to promoting human well-being. This is said to be even more important for younger generations. At the same time, there’s growing evidence that our mental health is highly responsive to our environment.
For example, when people feel isolated from eac ..read more
Venetian Letter Blog
6M ago
Keith Francis. Image: Archive of Keith Francis
Keith (he/him) is an Associate and Senior Director of Experience Outcomes for the global design agency Forge Media and Design. He holds a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from York University. He serves as a Fellow at McLaughlin College with peer-reviewed published works in Taylor and Francis Architectural Science Review. Keith is a member of the BrainXChange Design and Dementia Community of Practice, a board member of the Canadian Healthcare Infrastructure, a guest lecturer for the Ontario Association of Architects, the Neuroscience A ..read more