The Happiness of Material Things

The high demand for mental health services in NZ necessitates societal shifts to improve mental wellbeing. Targeting the mental wellbeing of children establishes behaviours, setting up generations for high quality living. This research explored the role of materiality in enhancing child wellbeing within a learning environment.

Theories suggest children understand space by experiencing with their whole bodies and using all senses. Elements affecting the physical body are heavily researched for wellbeing, while visual qualities are less examined.

Initial work established principles of wellbeing from a child’s perspective and depicts how this can be reflected through architecture. Material theory was researched, followed by examination of material use in ‘successful’ international and New Zealand learning environments. An experimentation phase, collected data from students testing architectural theory, to understand actual resonance of theory with children. In the design experiments, materiality tests were completed on an existing school and the effects assessed. The final design demonstrates implementations of tactics indicated throughout the research.

Wellbeing principles established from a child’s perspective of wellbeing are used throughout the research as measurable tools. Material theory assessed indicates pattern, texture and colour as integral for design, informing decision choices for the remainder of the research. Within New Zealand, higher consideration of materiality is needed to enhance spaces for wellbeing. Empirical data collection proved this integral, indicating through qualitative and quantitative analysis that children react consistently with architectural theory. Design exercises indicate use of theory through combining different aspects of materiality to create positive spaces. The final design acts as a visual representation of a variety of techniques designers can use to enhance child wellbeing through material choice, combination and placement.

The findings of this research promote more consideration of material selection and combination to produce learning environments that enhance the overall wellbeing of students in schools.