ABSTRACT
Psychological studies have shown that if the authors believe they have more control we feel more content, even if our actual levels of control are unchanged. When designing any building it is therefore paramount to give users control or at the very least a perceived sense of control over their immediate environment. Over the last few decades, environmental experts have emphasised the importance of adaptable spaces, as this allows existing buildings to be reappropriated for alternative future uses. Given that people are shown to feel happier when they have more control, it is key that as designers we give building users the tools to adapt their immediate environment. Technology is now giving people even greater control over their environment. However, these systems should not render more traditional means of controlling our environment redundant. By creating spaces with varying characters, designers can give users direct control over the type of environment in which they choose to place themselves.
