What is the Built Environment?

September 29, 20080 Comments Tagged: architecture, definition, environmental design, interior design, landscaping, signage, The Built Environment, wayfinding, wikipedia

Given that this blog is supposed to be looking at how Graphic Design relates to the built environment, it probably wouldn't hurt to take a look at what we are talking about when we refer to "The Built Environment".

Wikipedia says;

"The phrase built environment refers to the man-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, ranging from the large-scale civic surroundings to the personal places."

That seems like a fair place to start I would say. Its pretty vague and over-arching but it fits for the purposes of this blog. It encompases architecture, interior design, environmental design, landscaping, wayfinding, signage and more. Many people would say that it also includes industrial and product design as they make the environment around us as well, but in a lesser capacity.

The design of the built environment has a profound effect on our everyday lives, effecting the way we work, relax, travel and interact. And it is well worth taking a closer look at as we interact in it and are influenced by it.