Big box problems

The Psychological Cost of Boring Buildings

The Science of Us brings us this article on the the emotional toll of boring architecture. The design-based code in the South Willamette Special Area Zone is a small attempt to confront this issue.

A growing body of research in cognitive science illuminates the physical and mental toll bland cityscapes exact on residents. Generally, these researchers argue that humans are healthier when they live among variety — a cacophony of bars, bodegas, and independent shops — or work in well-designed, unique spaces, rather than unattractive, generic ones.
— Jacoba Urist, Sciene of Us