Happiness in Meditation: BP 7

Debotton suggests that there is an architecture of happiness.  What does that mean?  I believe that it can mean several things.  One defines happiness differently from another, just as one feels happy from a certain environment while the other person may not.  In class we discussed the differences and similarities between the East rule book and the West rule book.  Going by what we learned about the two places I think happiness in architecture means being in an environment where you feel comfortable.  If comfort is sought through emphasized surfaces, or by placing man in the center (or others), or by order and harmony, then that is exactly what I think makes the space a happy one.

Our group chose a few "happy places" on campus and the one that resonated the most with me was the meditation space.  Not only was the PLACE itself (the outside of the building/courtyard) happy, but the space inside was happy as well.  

"Place man at the center"  There was a large circle in the middle of the room, which told me that if I were to really meditate in this room I would want to sit in the middle of this circle.  It is also an example of "emphasizing surface through material" because the circle is differentiated by being wood rather than carpet.

There were several abstract like pieces of thick walls or glass.  I think it celebrates  surface and materiality because it is another odd feature in the room that causes your eye to glance at it, and then move to the next oddity.

Another example of the thick wall

There was a peaceful shrine-like fixture to the left of the room.  This is a way to "emphasize spiritual and religious connections."  It also is an example of "expanding your inner world" because the idea of meditating is not one that is too common in America.  One would instead expect to see something following Christianity.

The outside structure maintains continuity with the past, sustains systems of representation, layers groves and stacks when possible, and follows the rules!  There are stacks present, groups, and repetition.  I think this is a major part of the comfort that is necessary for my definition of happiness.  It is also happy because the sense of community is present.  There are several tables and chairs set up so that people will sit and communicate.

Another view of the outside- this one showing the water, another contributing factor to happiness.

I think that through these rules people are able to find some level of happiness, whether it is because they are comforted by the normality of it, or enjoy the fact that it is NOT completely normal.  The space is both an attempt to broaden our horizons yet provides us a place to find our ground again in our hectic lives.  The different aspects and materials of the room are pleasant in that they are abstract and cause our eye to dance.  I think that such a broad spectrum of uses in one space is definitely happy.