Well-Being and the Effect of Age in Interiors

Abstract

This chapter starts from the assumption that understanding of well-being evolves over time (that's during history) and with time (that's in the lifecycle of people). These differences have not been considered with necessary attention until now, and a study carried by the authors is presented here: several interviews performed in different contexts and with differently aged people have shown some differences between young people, adults, and the elderly. In particular, results show that psychological needs change, overcoming functional or aesthetics requirements. Among young people, connection to context is not so important, as their social life is performed in social media more than in real, physical environments. Hierarchies evolve too, showing interesting results. At the same time, cultural context shows several, unexpected differences (e.g., about relation with natural and built context). These results invite one to design interiors as flexible spaces, available to be adapted over time and with time.