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Why Some Homes Feel So Alive: What I Learned Walking the Streets of Kerala

When I visited my in-laws’ house in Kerala, I loved walking through their neighbourhood. The air smelled fresh after the rain, and the streets were full of trees. Every house looked different. One had beautiful carved wooden windows. Another had a large veranda with green plants. A third had a red-tiled roof that looked old and strong.

All the houses were different, but they all felt warm and welcoming. They were big, yet homely. Each house looked like it had grown naturally over time. I kept wondering, why do these houses feel so peaceful and alive?



What Makes a Home Feel Alive

Many years ago, an architect named Christopher Alexander asked the same question. He studied towns and homes all over the world and wrote a famous book called “A Pattern Language.” In this book, he listed many simple ideas, or patterns, that make people feel comfortable and happy in a place.

He found that small things matter a lot. For example, sunlight coming from two sides of a room makes it brighter and more cheerful. A quiet backyard helps people relax. A small bench near the front door invites neighbours to stop and talk.

Today, scientists who study neuroaesthetics have proved that these ideas truly affect our brains. This science shows that the design of our surroundings changes how we feel, think, and behave. Good design can make us feel calm, creative, and connected.


How Our Brain Feels Space

When you walk into a bright, airy room, your brain feels happy. It releases chemicals that make you feel good.When you see natural shapes like curves, plants, or patterns found in leaves, your brain feels relaxed because these shapes remind it of nature.When a house has both open spaces and quiet corners, your mind feels safe and balanced.

Your brain always reacts to the space around you, even if you do not notice it.


Simple Patterns That Make a Home Feel Good

Here are a few ideas from Christopher Alexander that also fit with what brain science says today.

  1. Light from Two Sides Sunlight from more than one direction makes rooms look lively. It also keeps your body clock healthy.

  2. A Small Garden Plants and trees near your home lower stress and bring happiness. Watching greenery helps your brain rest.

  3. A Gentle Entrance When you move slowly from outside to inside, you feel calm. A small veranda or step area helps your body and mind adjust.

  4. Central Courtyard or Family Space In many Indian homes, the courtyard or main sitting area is where everyone meets. It feels like the heart of the home. Such spaces make people feel connected and loved.

  5. Small Corners or Nooks A quiet corner for reading or thinking gives comfort. Your brain feels safe in small, cozy spaces.

  6. Window Seats or Benches A seat near the window lets you rest and enjoy the view. It also connects you to the outside world.

  7. Open-to-Sky Courtyard Spaces open to sunlight and air bring nature into your daily life. They help your brain stay peaceful and alert.


Building a Home with Feeling

If your family is planning to build a house, begin with feelings, not drawings. Ask yourself simple questions.

  • Where do I feel most happy and calm?

  • Where will the sunlight come in?

  • Where will we sit together as a family?

Use natural materials like wood, stone, and clay. Let each room have its own feeling. Choose soft colors that make you feel comfortable. Keep some open areas with trees and fresh air.

A home that respects how people feel becomes a place where the mind can rest and grow.


Homes That Are Truly Alive

Christopher Alexander said that good buildings have a quality without a name. You can feel it, even if you cannot explain it. Neuroaesthetics helps us understand that this feeling comes from the way our brains react to light, texture, and form.

When I remember those Kerala homes, I now understand why they felt so alive. They were not only beautiful. They were built with love, care, and an understanding of what makes people feel at home.

Every home can have that same feeling of life if we design it with heart, nature, and care.


The Neuroaesthetic Perspective: The Joy of Enjoying

Neuroaesthetics teaches us that enjoying a home is also an active process. When we notice the play of sunlight on the floor, the sound of rain on the roof, or the smell of wet soil after a shower, our brain becomes calm and happy. These small moments of beauty are not just decoration. They create signals in the brain that bring peace, joy, and focus.

So when you walk through your house, look around with awareness. Feel the textures, see the colors, hear the sounds, and smell the air. This is the process of enjoying. It is how your brain connects deeply with the space you live in. When your home invites you to enjoy it with all your senses, it becomes more than a building. It becomes a living part of your life.



Prof. Hermon Carduz

Leaders' Choice Neuroaesthetic Federation of India

 
 
 

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