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Architecture is evolving to become a more collective endeavor and social sciences are playing an important role, as the field becomes more aware of its social impact. An article from ArchDaily discusses the “increasing role of humanist professions such as anthropology, psychology, or futurolgy within architecture.” The social landscape of today recognizes the value of community input, but architects are not necessarily equipped with the skills this type of design thinking requires. In one Swedish town, an architect’s design strategy was shaped by the work and research of an in-house social anthropology team, which distilled the citizen’s vision for the town.
There is also environmental psychology, which began taking shape in the 1960s and provides invaluable input to the field of architecture. “This area of expertise allows architects to make informed decisions about spatial configurations, materials, color, lighting, and many other elements that go into a design space.” It’s clear that architecture can benefit from social sciences and the knowledge they can provide by either reinforcing institutions or contradicting assumptions and in the end, the users of these spaces will be the ones who benefit from these thoughtful collaborations.
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