ABSTRACT
As we’re part of nature, nature is part of us. Physically, emotionally and spiritually, the elements – earth, water, air and fire – comprise, and are essential subliminal nutrients for, us This affects what we need in our surroundings, and how these translate into qualitative characteristics. Matter’s primary characteristics are form, solidity and (typically) immobility. Water is opposite: mobile. Essential to life, it’s always flowing through living things, so is their primary shaper, and around 70% of human bodyweight. Air is invisible and hyper-mobile. Its quality affects physical and mental health, energy, mood, behaviour and social health. Indoor and out, however, urban air is rarely pollution-free.
Whereas these three elements are all material substances in different ways and to varying extents, fire (warmth/sunlight) isn’t: it’s solely energy. Three things compete for sunlight: food, energy and human moods. As circumstances determine their prioritization, Chapter 19 discusses the many multi-layered implications for urban design.
