Welcome to Your World audiobook

This is a passionate and well written discussion of why design and architecture matter and how it would improve our society to assign good design a more important role in contemporary America as so much work here is poorly built (much by developers who only care about building cheaply and personal profit). Our society needs policies that support good design as it increases the well being of our society at all income levels. Other countries, such as Holland build better not because they are more capable of good design than us, but as a culture they have higher expectations for their built environment. The application of studies in environmental psychology to architecture is fascinating. I wish there had been more examples of these studies, such as the one that students taking a test in classrooms painted with a blue ceiling perform better. I think more of these examples would have strengthened this book as a study of the connection between environmental studies and good architecture. Some of the examples seem obvious such as more nature, light and ventilation in an environment improves peoples sense of well being, but it is interesting that there are studies that actually prove this point. Additional interesting examples cited include that jarring angles can be disturbing, that we are attracted to curved walls (and the Parthenon has them even though it appears to be straight), and that we are attracted to symmetry. The point that the scale of repetition and symmetry effects its perception was so interesting; I wish the focus was more on examples such as these. There were many examples of good architecture described, including the Pantheon, the Parthenon, the Salk Center. The reasons why the projects described were good architecture was interesting reading, but I was hoping that more examples directly illustrated the points from the environmental studies. Also, some of the buildings mentioned did not have accompanying photos, and if one was not familiar with the building, the point was partially lost. As an architect I should be familiar with all of the examples, but general readers may not be motivated to continue further research. The Scottish Houses of Parliament was a fascinating example. I wish the exterior photo was better- it was so dark that I could barely make it out. The assembly room photo well illustrated a gorgeous space, and the little carved out seats in the windows were fascinating. I need to get to know this project better. The point that architecture matters was well made, and the examples of the social sciences supported the point that architecture and our environment is important. I wished that there were more examples of the social studies discussed with examples illustrating their points, rather than so many classic buildings being cited as examples of good architecture. We do need to be building more of the quality of the Pantheon, Parthenon and Salk Centers today; it is unfortunate that the quality of these examples are so rare as to be almost an anomaly. Having a society that understands and supports why good design is important would increase the odds that we will build a better more healthy environment, as all odds are against us the way things currently stand. This book well illustrates why good design matters and it wet my appetite to read more about the connection of environmental studies and good design.

I really enjoyed the description of how good design help buildings drastically improve our experiences and our lives. The case studies were also excellent. The studies of buildings that I've visited before were especially vivid, but the images in the print edition allowed me some insight into those that I hadn't experienced myself. At times, the language became really pretentious and unnecessarily academic. But that didn't detract from the overall message.

Fascinating! This would be an interesting read for anyone curious about the effects that built environments have on the people who inhabit them. As an architect, this book gave me much to think about, and having just finished it, I feel like I should read it again to pick up more of the info I probably didn't absorb in the first read.

The argument is important, and depressingly often ignored (There's not a single building that isn't either a concrete box, or a cookie-cutter house that's already falling apart in my entire town)I have no idea how good the actual points are, not a topic I've researched, but I'm glad someone is doing the science, since we live in an age where only population control and capital gains have any value whatever, it is essential to provide an argument in favour of decent living standards and environments. I've spent my life in mind-destroying surroundings. It would be nice to think at least future generations may not have to deal with the same issue of every building they ever enter being more or less identical, and completely backwards for human use.

Some points are repeated too many times over throughout the book but the review of research and specific examples of how architecture and design of spaces affects humans is great.

Welcome to your world is an intriguing book which explores how the environment we build around us affects us, as well as how we navigate that reality. What I find really fascinating is how the author integrates cognitive and bodily experiences into the book so that we're not just looking at the environment, but also our own place in space. If you want to understand space, building designs, or how you navigate the world around this is an excellent book to read because it provides you a way to look at your environment from a unique perspective and consider how you situate yourself in the world around you as well as how bring good design into your life and improve your circumstances as a result.

I’m familiar with a lot of this material, just because my interests converge in a book like this, but Goldhagen goes deep into the social, psychological and experiential facets of how we act on, react to, and simply live in the built environment. Her writing style feels textbooky, but that’s easy to accommodate when you’re learning so much. Rigorously thought out, well argued, beautifully illustrated and produced, this book is persuasive as well as a great pleasure.

A nice addition to the much need body of literature devoted to evidence based architecture. Like all passionate writers Goldhagen overreaches the science at times to describe conclusions that support her point, but in general there were few unacceptably biased implications and it seems as though the questions were approached with the sincerest of intentions. Well written and holds ones interest, even if it is repetitive at times.

As a spatial designer I’ve a great interest in this topic. It’s a great introductory book about how the built environment shapes our lives. It has lots of great references. I think it’s written in a way that anyone without knowledge in the area can understand clearly. I would like it to be more technical but I can see the merit in making it more accessible

Not the kind of book I normally read & took me a really long time to get through. That being said, beautiful pictures of great design and a compelling case for the importance of design of the built structures around us and some interesting insights into what makes these designs good.Makes me want to read a book on city planning to increase happiness, but maybe not for another few books...

A trove of brilliant examples that make the analysis come to life.That said, I'd like to see a bit more sustained analysis, and I'd really appreciate sophistication around the use of "nature." The unhelpfulness of that word pulses off the pages here.

You probably only need to read the first half to get the gist of what the author wants to you get. It did open my eyes to the importance and major effect architecture has on many aspects of our lives.

Nice compilation of architecture that can help to improve society; raise cognition and awareness; elevate human emotions; empower people; allow more realization of human potential -- and all this from better building of our homes, offices, schools, political centers, and more...

Good overview with solid examples of why good design matters. Recommended as primer or refresher.

It's a nice and easy book but really introductory to space. Not so life changing if you're looking something more for architects

Smart, evocative, helpful, and hopeful. My only complaint is that I wanted even more -- examples, chapters, writing -- about how the built environment shapes us.