Satoshi's Sidewalk #6: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
Advancing biometric research methods allow for studying human observation on an unconscious level.
‘Sidewalk favorite Ann Sussman released a video from the Human Architecture and Planning Institute (HAPI) touting the use of advanced eye-tracking hardware (and software) to study human observation patterns of the built environment. The pilot study is part of the Sensing Streetscapes research project, conducted by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, which seeks “to measure and visualize the assumed effects of spatial designs of streetscapes on its users.”
Fancy words for watching how eyeballs dart around while you walk through urban environments. HAPI tested two streets in Boston, Newbury St and Boylston St, to why one is preferred over the other. Newbury St is lined for a mile on both sides by 19th century buildings. You can guess what kind of buildings line Boylston St, and how many lanes there are. The proof is in the pudding.
In a separate post from Genetics of Design, which this author missed this first time around (shame…shame…), a post describing the Built Beautiful documentary delves further into the unconscious, biological, and innate responses that humans feel when observing structures. Buildings are a recent advancement when compared to the timeline of human existence. Our eyes, brains, and the subconscious, involuntary reactions are a result of human evolution in the natural environment. The shapes we see have an effect on us. As do colors.
Neuroscience is proving what the classical architects already knew: humans are innately affected by the designs, shapes, colors, and materials used for buildings, spaces, and places.
You know it when you see it.
Two methods to accomplish the same goal: creating an environment humans enjoy being a part of. One using the scientific method, the other being time-tested and intuitive. Shapes and color arrangements arranged in certain ways strike a chord in us, that chord is beauty. A kind of aesthetic which pleases the brain - both consciously and unconsciously.
First principles with both methods leads to the conclusions that beauty is, indeed, objective. Approaching things from first principles brings us back to bitcoin. Digital gold. A new form of money with all the advantages of gold and paper currency, and none of their drawbacks. A money able to more accurately reflect prices in the market - the most dense information network for coordinating human action in existence.
Returning to objective beauty standards for the built environment is the way forward. Places designed for humans to walk, not for cars to speed through. Places for human interaction with no glass or horns in between.
Places to enjoy - whether you know it or not!