Southwest Environmental Limited

Environmental Psychology Consultants

We cover a great many topics which when combined place us in a good position to act as environmental psychology consultants, whether it be ensuring adequate daylight, or specify green infrastructure provisions for a new development, we can find pathways that contribute to the future psychological welfare of stakeholders.

Environmental psychology is a field of study that examines the interaction between people and their physical environments. It explores how the built and natural environments influence human behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Environmental psychology has applications in a wide range of fields, including architecture, urban planning, public health, and environmental policy. Lets break this topic down and explore how it works:

Perception of the Environment

 How people perceive and interpret their surroundings:

Visual

The first bite is with the eye. Colours, textures, spaciousness can also promote positive psychological feelings. Biophilic design incorporating element of nature, and natural materials, views over planted landscapes and greenery. All of these measure cost money and take up space, this is why we are seeing more and more policy that reuires their implementation during planning applications.

Auditory

Widely found to have a positive effect are the sounds of rain, wind, birdsong, and flowing water can evoke feelings of calm, peace, and connection to nature. The shape of the created space (where applicable is also important), acoustic design can lead to better level of absorption and eliminate features such as "standing waves". In terms of managing noise from external sources, a noise assessment can describe the noise environment of a site, and

Olfactory

Widely used in marketing to convey brand identity, scents can form an important part of site users psychology upon exposure. More common in the built environment is the management of unpleasant odour. This might include adequately specified extract systems in kitchen, or positive input, or negative pressure systems in some building to ensure odour (outgoing or incoming are managed effectivly).

Environmental Stress

The impact of environmental factors:

Noise

In noisy environments it is import to assess whether the proposed use is suitable. High levels of noise particularly intermittent noises can be damaging to health. There are various British Standards that relate to satisfactory noise levels for certain site / room uses. However, you have to question the method by which noise is assessed when you see new schools, houses and medical centres being built directly adjacent to motorways.

Therefore aside from the the formal methods of assessment, there is a subjective element to noise assessment. Is it a good idea to build a school right next to a motorway? Of course not. So build it somewhere else.

Pollution

Pretty wide ranging this one, some obvious . . .

• Noise
• Odour

. . .some less obvious:

• Particulates in Air (Air Quality)
• Hydrocarbon Vapors from Ground

Overcrowding

Space standards are in some instances (e.g. Permitted Development) are sometimes absent.  Overcrowding in

Environmental Behavior

How people interact with their environments including behaviors related to

Conservation

Preserving historic buildings and landmarks provides a sense of continuity and connection to the past. This can foster a strong sense of place and belonging, which is essential for mental health.   Conserved buildings often serve as community gathering places. These spaces can promote social interaction, reduce feelings of loneliness, and strengthen community bonds.

Sustainability

Biophilic Design; Incorporating natural elements like plants, greenery, and natural light can create a sense of connection to nature, reducing stress and anxiety. Outdoor Spaces; Access to green spaces, parks, and gardens provides opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and social interaction.

Environmental Psychology: Understanding the Human-Environment Connection