The space between us

Your office layout, your commute, the view from your window — all quietly shaping your mental state. Psychotherapist Danjela Falzon tells Dayna Clarke Camilleri why the spaces we inhabit matter far more than we realise, and what better design could change.

---

Dayna Clarke Camilleri

From a psychological perspective, how does the built environment influence stress levels and overall mental wellbeing?

The built environment refers to the physical spaces we live in, such as our homes, workplaces, and schools, as well as the external environments, including the physical layout of our cities and residential areas. Research has found that living in clean, aesthetically pleasing surroundings has a positive effect on our overall wellbeing. For instance, views of nature from a window have been found to reduce stress and improve mood.

Other aspects, such as lighting, colour choices, and access to spaces that promote movement and connection with neighbours, colleagues, and family members, have been found to impact wellbeing, either exacerbating or reducing stress levels and anxiety.

What are the most common mental health impacts you see that are linked to people's living or working environments?

People's living or working environments can have a huge impact on their mental health and overall wellbeing. Such factors include the general environment, including the culture and general atmosphere within a home or workplace (i.e. ranging from highly supportive to toxic), as well as the physical environment, including factors such as temperature, lighting, noise, access to open spaces, access to private spaces, whether offices are open plan or have a private layout, and so on. Such factors then coincide with our individual differences in overall temperament, needs, and coping mechanisms. For instance, introverts have been found to experience high levels of stress and anxiety if working in open-plan environments, utilise fluorescent lighting, are excessively noisy and have a constant flow of movement around them.

How do factors like noise, light, density and lack of green space affect cognitive performance and emotional regulation?

Cognitive performance and emotional regulation are directly affected by factors such as noise, light, density, and a lack of green space, as these factors influence cortisol levels, attention, and energy levels. High levels of traffic noise, for instance, cause fatigue, impair working memory, and raise cortisol levels. Likewise, high population density and overcrowding are directly linked to increased stress, anxiety, and loss of control over one's environment, causing frustration and emotional overwhelm. Since density can increase cognitive load, we may feel emotionally overwhelmed and mentally overloaded, which can reduce our ability to focus and maintain productivity. 

Access to green spaces has a huge impact on physical and mental wellbeing, with studies showing a 50% or more increased risk of stress among those living over 1km from nature. The World Health Organisation highlights the importance of access to green spaces for overall wellbeing. They note that environments such as parks, playgrounds, and public gardens can enhance both mental and physical health and help reduce illness and premature death. These benefits come from offering opportunities for psychological restoration and stress relief, encouraging social connection, supporting regular physical activity, and reducing exposure to air pollution, noise, and excessive heat.

Danjela Falzon

In your experience, how does poor urban planning contribute to burnout, anxiety or reduced productivity?

Poor urban planning significantly affects both mental and physical wellbeing. In my work, I've met many clients who describe how the surge in construction across the Maltese islands has taken a toll on them, from constant noise and worsening air quality to the distress caused by rapid, often disorienting changes to the urban landscape. Many also speak about the fear of losing remaining green spaces, the environmental harm caused by overdevelopment, and the loss of buildings with historical or cultural significance.

A recurring theme is the sense of helplessness and loss of control people feel as these changes unfold around them. The stress and anxiety triggered by poorly planned construction and road infrastructure often spill into daily life, making routine tasks more difficult. When stress levels remain high, cognitive and emotional functioning can be significantly affected, reducing productivity and making it harder to cope with everyday challenges.

Are there specific design elements that consistently support better mental health outcomes in workplaces or residential areas?

In the workplace, several design elements can be incorporated to improve mental health outcomes. These include providing varied workspaces so employees can move between open, social spaces and quiet, private spaces. Lighting, colour schemes and temperature can either promote or detract from wellbeing. Therefore, design elements would need to include warm, soft lighting, acoustically treated areas that minimise noise, calming colours, and access to natural light and natural elements such as plants. Design elements could also include measures to ensure the smooth flow of team members, minimising distractions when moving from work areas to social or functional areas, such as bathrooms and kitchen water dispensers.

In terms of residential planning, the rate of mental health issues amongst young people is quite concerning, and although several factors are at play, the lack of open, green spaces cannot be overlooked. Living in traffic-filled, chaotic urban environments without access to green spaces such as parks and public gardens deprives us of the opportunity to interact socially, engage in physical activity, and experience the calming and restorative aspects of spending time in green spaces. Spending time in nature helps reduce stress, anxiety and low mood, whilst boosting concentration and productivity.

How important is a sense of control or autonomy in physical spaces, and how can design either support or undermine that?

A sense of control and autonomy in physical spaces is hugely important, as many public spaces are designed in ways that fail to recognise our individual differences. Take the example of introverts and extroverts, who thrive in very different environments: introverts are recharged in quiet solitude, whilst extroverts are recharged in group settings. Incorporating flexible workspaces into design, for instance, could enable introverts and extroverts to move between private and more open spaces, thereby boosting performance, concentration, and overall wellbeing. The same goes for people who are highly sensitive or neurodivergent, who would greatly benefit from choice in their living and working environments.

Do you see measurable psychological differences between people working in thoughtfully designed spaces versus poorly designed ones?

To answer this question, it would be useful for each of us to reflect for a moment on the type of environment we live or work in, or the places we visit from time to time, and really think about whether such spaces calm or stress us. Many of my clients work in open-plan offices, for instance, surrounded by constant movement and noise, yet wonder why they feel drained and stressed by mid-morning. The psychological impact of trying to block out excessive stimuli so you can focus on the task at hand leads to anxiety and fatigue, which in turn affects mental and physical health. Tired, stressed employees do not work to their full potential and take more sick leave, meaning that poor design is costing workplaces financially, as well as the obvious human impact.

Can architects and urban planners better collaborate with mental health professionals during the design process?

Yes, most definitely. Such collaboration would go a long way to creating environments which foster greater health and wellbeing for people of all ages. 

Design for wellbeing: 6 Principles that matter

1. Build in choice

Create flexible spaces that allow people to move between quiet, private areas and more open, social environments. 

2. Prioritise natural light

Maximise daylight and avoid harsh artificial lighting to support mood, focus and energy levels.

3. Control noise and flow

Reduce distractions through good acoustics and thoughtful layouts that minimise unnecessary movement and disruption.

4. Bring nature closer

Incorporate green spaces, plants, and natural views to reduce stress and restore mental balance.

5. Design for people, not just density

Favour walkable, human-centred environments over car-dominated, overcrowded spaces.

6. Reduce cognitive overload

Avoid excessive noise, brightness and visual clutter—spaces should calm the mind, not overwhelm it.

From a preventative mental health standpoint, what design mistakes do you think cities and developers most often underestimate?

I believe the current focus is on short-term, quick design solutions with a 'quantity over quality' approach. What's missing is careful, thoughtful planning which prioritises the wellbeing of the community, including that of future generations. Green design could incorporate green walls, street trees, and green parks rather than concrete-laden ones.

In Malta, particularly, designers forget about pedestrians and prioritise vehicles, when more pedestrianised areas and safer, well-lit walkways would encourage walking locally when possible. Inside and outside, I believe we underestimate the sheer cognitive overload we face daily, including bright lights, poor soundproofing, and a lack of appreciation for the calming impact of colour schemes and indoor planting. With increased loneliness and reduced social integration also impacting mental health, designers and planners could create indoor and outdoor spaces that facilitate coming together and promote social cohesion and a sense of community.

Looking ahead, how important will mental wellbeing become as a factor in how cities and commercial spaces are designed?

Urbanisation is increasing, but so is awareness of the importance of taking care of our mental health; for this reason, I believe this will eventually be reflected in how cities and commercial spaces are designed. Many cities around the world are already doing this. Singapore, for instance, is well known for using vertical gardens, green roofs, and connector parks to reduce urban heat and stress. Various community-centred initiatives have also been introduced, such as Therapeutic Horticulture programmes that bring together people living in the city to garden to boost wellbeing. Likewise, Copenhagen has incorporated extensive bicycle networks and pedestrian-friendly streets into its city design, promoting healthy living and environmentally friendly transport. It would be great if Malta could also incorporate similar initiatives into its planning and design.

Danjela Falzon has been practising as a psychotherapist since 2011, supporting adults with anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship difficulties and personal growth. She also works with groups, teaching mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety. Contact: danjfalz@gmail.com.

---