A place for the traditional architectural ornament in contemporary architecture
The revitalisation of ornaments in contemporary architecture and its benefits to mental health
S.V. Heusen (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
M.M. Teunissen – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
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Abstract
Ornaments have been a cornerstone of architecture since its beginning, many types of ornaments have been created as means of expression for designers and developers, transferring ideas of religion, politics, and society. But in the historic timeline of architecture, the inclusion of architectural ornaments has stagnated, and with a rapid expansion of urban sprawl ornaments have become a rare sight. With the use of psychological research, this urban environment has been adapting in many ways to increase psychological wellbeing of its inhabitants by, for example, increasing the availability of nature. Cities are adapting, but architecture which could increase wellbeing by intensifying ornamentation, struggles to break from the stagnation. However, by creating designs based on psychological research, architectural concepts that positively influence the wellbeing of city inhabitants are emerging. This paper elaborates the process of the revitalisation of ornaments in contemporary architecture and its benefits to mental health.