Happy by Design: A guide to architecture and mental wellbeing

Happy By Design is such an interesting idea, and shows just what a lack of vision most town planners, health experts and politicians have. While they focus on money, jobs, benefits, immigrants and out-of-town retail parks, this book focuses on how to design places to make people feel good.

Surely this is the very reason for town planners? Especially in the midst of a massive mental health epidemic.

Most people spend over 80% of time in buildings, so surely there should be a better understanding of how they make us feel? This books looks at the ways in which buildings, spaces and cities affect our moods. And how good architecture and design can support good mental health (and poor design has the opposite effect).

Presented in easy-to-understand essay-style design tips (with beautiful diagrams and illustrations), this is a birthday book for your town planner! Or architect or GP or mental health professional.

Good design has other knock-on effects like lowering energy bills due to more natural light and better ventilation, which helps to reduce pollution and off-gassing.

If using indoor plants, learn toxic plants to avoid near pets. And don’t display them to face gardens, to stop birds flying into glass windows.

And of course good architecture and town planning would result in massive reductions in NHS costs, it’s a win-win. In towns full of ugly damp buildings and litter-strewn streets and rivers, why are councils not on this already? Or MPs campaigning for good design to enhance massive improvements to mental health?