Psychological and physical comfort within buildings is important. Indeed, certain factors have been linked to adverse feelings and perception. Which factors do you consider important?
Colour is important in the colour of rooms, corridors, doors exits and entrances.
Sound too noisy too stressful, open space offices v. own office, basically public v. private space. Flooring such as soft carpeting v. noisy wooden floors etc.
Heating too hot over 37C the temperature in Australia when you can stop working v. too cold < 16c unless it is meant to be a cold area then correct clothing must be provided.
There are many factors to consider, the above are just a few to start!
Quality of material and colors. natural materials and hand made things would be a pleasure to watch.
The buildings I feel best in have design features which make it feel as though I'm in a work of art. Nothing is worse than a crowded, unremarkable, enclosed, square waiting room. They create anxiety. I know an ophthalmologist office that has avoided this by having waiting areas tucked into alcoves spread throughout a large space, partitioned by functional dividers like beautiful wood and glass cabinets and the optometrists shop.
Another preferred feature is large windows that open into nature, indoor plants, art hanging from the ceiling and on the walls. The waiting room I described had no windows but it still was a very interesting place to be. It sparked curiosity, made you feel human, and you could choose to sit with a few strangers or find a nook where you could be by yourself. I think diversity is good, especially with waiting areas, to allow people choices of spaces to put themselves into according to their given moods.
Perhaps, it is the personal perspective of both external/internal design features that certainly make an environment seem more foreboding or indeed comfortable safe. Experiential and intuitive aspects do influence personal experience.
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