Happiness in place and space: Exploring the contribution of architecture and interior architecture to happiness

Do architecture and interior architecture contribute to the happiness of people? Do these design disciplines have a role to play in enhancing possibilities for people to work on their happiness? To answer these questions, the first section of this paper discusses different factors that contribute to happiness: genetics, life circumstantial factors and intentional activities. Next, these factors are refined specifically from the viewpoint of architecture and interior architecture, whereby it is demonstrated how these disciplines can be considered as a life circumstantial factor that contributes to happiness. In the second section, a selection of techniques for exploring happiness and gaining insight in different factors contributing to happiness are discussed. Here, the authors discuss the set-up and use of a ‘Happiness Circle’, an exploratory tool which they developed in order to gain insight in the specific contribution that architecture and interior architecture can have regarding happiness. The results of an exploratory study wherein 212 research participants were involved demonstrate that architecture and interior architecture have a role to play in determining people’s happiness, which opens various promising opportunities for future design projects.