Pyramid Examples
Now let’s take these Body needs from the pyramid and transfer them into architecture (in a home). Here are 5 examples of what the body wants in a home.
Example 1
‘Self-actualisation’ means “the realisation of fulfilment of one’s talents and potentialities…”
Every human race has a different kind of body and different kinds of talent. This talent is very important in our lives. As an example, Asians have very flexible bodies and it is important for their body system to keep this talent. The physical talents are always connected to the mental talents. Nature would be wasting energy if the physical talent did not match the mental talent. As an example, Asians are very flexible physically, but also flexible mentally. We see this in their willingness and flexibility towards work. Asians are hard workers and flexible workers.
Windows are made for light, but also for orientation and thereby safety. Low windows inspire us to sit on the floor since we can feel safe on the floor due to the lowness. This is what the Asian body’s flexibility would love. This will support the Asians’ life-talent of flexibility and self actualisation in several ways.
‘Self esteem’ means “confidence in one’s own worth or abilities…” A great posture is considered a high self esteem, courage and attraction. A bad posture often means self protection, fear or shame. When we show a good posture we are met as a person with high self esteem which makes us feel good and gives us even higher self esteem.
But unfortunately our posture is suffering more than ever from Electronics – especially from working at home. Apart from the fact that this causes disc prolapses and osteoporosis, the bad posture leads to low self esteem.
A different kind of room distribution of the home (or a wall of glass😉) lead to a better workplace, posture and self esteem.
The feeling of softness is associated with love and connection. Examples are teddy’s for children and silky sheets for adults. Softness is transferred from materials to our senses of the skin, and the brain’s somatosensory cortex, creating a wonderful and loving association.
Soap stone will therefor katalyze and enforce our love system in the body – whether in connection, sensuality or belonging.
Our muscles make ‘eccentric contractions’ to control our movements in every movement we make. Without the eccentric contraction, we would ‘push the glass of water instead of picking it up’.
Eccentric contractions are great contractions, however they can be used too much causing the muscles to cramp lightly. This is very stressful for the body and it is waisted energy.
Feet on slippery floors constantly use this eccentric contraction-energy to control their movement to avoid falling. This is stressful for the body. A non-slippery floor makes the body feel safe and relaxed and our energy can be used for a much better purpose elsewhere.
Physiological and Doors
In ancient times we slept outside at night, exposed for danger ( lions, enemies etc.). We would therefore be alert at night trying to sleep in positions facing the enemy to be prepared. Nowadays we do not have that kind of danger, but instinctively we still sleep in the same way: Head towards entrance (door or window) to protect ourselves. Doors and windows also function as an escape canal, should an enemy enter the room.
When the bedroom door is on one side and the bedroom window is on the other, the brain feels safe, since it is easier to be prepared, should an enemy enter the room. If the enemy will enter the door we can escape from the window and opposite. Placing door opposite windows therefore makes us sleep better. A better sleep leads to all sorts of physical and mental benefits in life.
In other words architecture can give us:
- Joy and happiness
- Promote our skills
- Socialization
- More energy
- Better sleep
- Less stress
- Attraction
- No injury
- Freedom