AIR CONDITIONING
anger were associated with rectilinear products and environments. But why is this? Conclusions point to both experience and instinctive reaction. Possible reasons could be a response mechanism linking sharp straight edges and corners to bad experiences when we were young, from cuts or knocking yourself, or more deep-rooted reactions related to nature. Brain activity shows areas responsible for processing fear being active when looking at straight-edged objects or sharp angles. Is this one of the next steps that we should take when working on the next generation of air conditioning units? Take the scientific, technological innovation and combine it with the psychological application of wellbeing? Recent product releases have shown just that. Indoor units that are traditionally comprised of straight lines, now take on a more rounded appearance - complimenting both the trends of architectural developments and the impacts of environmental design. Once all about style and clean lines, product design is now identified as much more significant than just appearance. When we apply a particular type of air conditioning system, we consider many factors learnt from our training or experience. To use a cassette, a wall mount or a ceiling unit, we recognise the airflow direction, ceiling void space and shape of the area as considerations. Still, we don’t consider the use of the space so much, away from an office, meeting room, function room and other typical applications.
People occupying rooms with low ceiling height are better at focused tasks, such as technical design than those occupying more spacious rooms; which promotes creativity. Red coloured environments enhance detail-orientated tasks, whereas blue helps social interaction, discussion and idea exchange. This trend also applies to rectilinear and curvilinear design retrospectively. When a product is released what we conceive as being a new design for improved appearance or to reduced product depths to aid installation, are general observations that only begin to provide a reason for changes. Whilst we know our profession and how to design air conditioning systems, is too much emphasis placed on what looks good in a subjective manner without understanding our subconscious? The inclusion of designing large ranges of
products for wellbeing and improving certain aspects of a person or business productivity is far from an exact science. The theories formed through research are difficult to apply to practical solutions.
What is appropriate for one client wouldn’t necessarily work for another, and the expense of manufacturing variations of every type of product wouldn’t be cost-effective. But what we can do is widen our approach and offer a choice where practical. Investigate the psychological impacts and include the results in our consideration when designing.
Suppose we are to continue to evolve into manufacturers of the future. In that case, we need to continue our policies of being aligned with the type of research concerning environments in which our products and services apply.
www.acr-news.com
February 2021 27
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