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Should today's architect also be a psychologist or behaviorist?"
The Netherlands is also individualizing. Time for a chat at the elevator? It's almost out of the question.

Should today's architect also be a psychologist or behaviorist?

During my search for a new apartment, I visited several new construction projects in recent months. Sometimes only the real estate agent was present, sometimes the architect was also there. What struck me in conversations with architects is that they mainly emphasize technical aspects: the color of the brick, the finish of the bathroom, the choice of materials. About sustainability, they know everything! This is all very understandable, because they design the building. But as soon as I ask questions that go beyond technology, the conversation becomes a bit stiff... A reflection on that.

For example, I asked, "Why are owner-occupied and rental apartments mixed together on some floors? Doesn't that affect how people interact? After all, renters and buyers are often different groups with their own interests. So how does the design contribute to the interaction between those groups?" The architect had no answer. This is not exceptional; it happens to me more often. Architects know a lot about materials and aesthetics, but when it comes to the social dynamics within a building, they seem less prepared.

002 waiting at the elevator copy
There are (fortunately) still quite a few interesting new construction projects in the Netherlands where beautiful apartments are appearing. But, do the architects know what interaction should eventually occur in those apartment buildings?

The social role of the architect

This got me thinking: should an architect anno 2024 also be a psychologist or communications expert? After all, our society is becoming increasingly diverse, and so are the residents of new apartment buildings. Mixing tenants and buyers in one building is not only a trend, but also a government desire to encourage inclusive communities. But do architects sufficiently understand how this diversity affects their designs? Or should their designs actually influence the dynamics of that diversity?

A building is always more than a collection of bricks; it is a place where people live, work and meet. How the design encourages or hinders this interaction seems crucial to the success of a project. Yet architects seem to focus primarily on the physical aspects of their work and less on the social consequences of their choices. Architecture education emphasizes these technical and physical elements, while social aspects are often underemphasized. However, in complex housing environments, especially when mixing owner-occupied and rental housing, social dynamics and community building can be just as important as the building technology. This theme also emerges in the broader discussion of "people-centered" architecture, which is gaining traction.

003 copying neighbors
Tenants and buyers in the same apartment complex. They have different interests. Could they agree on simple matters related to living together?

Where is the dialogue?

Architects, as far as I am concerned, should also be able to answer questions such as:

- How does this design promote interaction between different resident groups?

- How do public spaces contribute to community building?

- What psychological considerations went into the classification?

- How does this design encourage an inclusive and safe living environment?

Of course architecture starts with aesthetics and functionality, but is that still enough? So shouldn't an architect also consider how his design affects social life inside and outside the building?

The architect of the future

Architects are faced with increasingly complex issues. It is not just about beautiful buildings, but about places where people from different backgrounds live together. This requires not only technical insight, but therefore also social and psychological knowledge. An architect must understand how people feel in a space and how design choices influence behavior. In this light, it seems logical to me that architects need to do more than just technical design. They should be able to predict interactions between residents and explain how their design contributes to social cohesion. A fine task, then, for architectural education. It is important to start reasoning (more) from this perspective.

Of course, I do not want to accuse any architect here of incompetence - on the contrary, I have great respect for the profession. Still, I hope these personal experiences will make the architect think. The world is changing, and with the increasing complexity of society, perhaps it is time to further broaden the architect's field. Understanding how people live together, their behaviors and interactions between different "types" of people is at least as important as knowing how to technically design a building and with what materials. 

Because ... a building is not only a place to live, but also a place to enjoy living.  

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