Weekend Read: Erin O’Dwyer on how to design housing for happiness
7am
00:00
Housing Is Where the Happiness Is
The city of Copenhagen consistently ranks at the top of the United Nations Happiness Index. British architect Ben Chanen in his new book, The Happy Design Toolkit, lists seven housing design factors that influence well-being. His number one priority? Light. After that comes comfort and materials, control and autonomy, nature, aesthetics, activity and community. No doubt we need more housing, but we must insist developers think about more than just the bottom line. A screened veranda here, an extra window there will pay off for generations. Save the trees and let in the light.
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