83.        I believe this statement should be interpreted broadly—to mean that we are
influenced by the exterior¹ shape of buildings, as well as by the arrangement of multiple
buildings and by a building's various architectural and aesthetic² elements. While I doubt
that buildings determine our character or basic personality traits, I agree that they can
greatly influence our attitudes, moods, and even life styles.
      On the structural³ and multi-structural scales, the arrangement of numerous
buildings can shape us in profound ways. High-density commercial districts with
numerous skyscrapers⁴ might result in stressful commuting⁵, short tempers, a feeling of
dehumanization, and so on. A "campus" arrangement of smaller, scattered⁶ buildings can
promote health, well-being⁷, and stress reduction by requiring frequent brisk outdoor
jaunts⁸. Buildings with multiple floors can also "shape" us, literally⁹, by requiring
exercise up and down stairs.
      As for floor plans and internal space, physical arrangement of workspaces can
shape workers' attitudes toward work and toward one another. Sitting in small, gray
cubicles¹⁰ lined up in militaristic rows is demoralizing, leaving workers with the feeling
that they are little more than impersonal¹¹ cogs of some office machine. But creative
design of workspaces in varied¹² arrangements can create feelings of uniqueness and
importance in each employee. Workspace relationships that suggest some sort of
hierarchy¹³ may breed competitiveness among coworkers, and may encourage a more
bureaucratic¹⁴ approach to work.
      Finally, as for aesthetic elements, the amount of light and location of windows in a
building can shape us in significant psychological ways. For most people, daily tasks
are more enjoyable in settings with plenty of natural light and at least some natural
scenery. Choice of colors can influence our mood, concentration, and efficiency.
Numerous psychological studies show that different colors influence behavior, attitudes,
and emotions in distinctly different ways. Yellow enhances appetite, blue has a
tranquilizing effect, and gray is the color of choice for companies who want their
workers to be subservient¹⁵.
      In sum, our buildings, the space around them and the space within them, can
affect us in important ways that influence our outlook on life, relationships with
coworkers, and even physical health and well-being.

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