# An Architect's Role in Making our Surroundings Liveable | Mitul Shukla | TEDxCalcutta IS Youth Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SZqi2O2-bw Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/5SZqi2O2-bw Generated: 2026-02-17T16:45:15.355+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Architect Mitul Shukla argues that designing livable, human-centric spaces—like those with sunlight, comfortable furniture, and breathable areas—is crucial for mental well-being, contrasting this with merely functional, container-like buildings that lead to stress and feeling crushed. **Key Points:** - Architect Mitul Shukla emphasizes designing spaces for human experience, not just function, contrasting livable environments with merely functional buildings. - Shukla asks the audience to visualize spaces where they feel stress (crowded hall, hospital waiting area, dark office corner) versus spaces where they feel happy (balcony with sunset, grandmother's kitchen, favorite library). - The speaker notes that 90% of our life is spent in these spaces (home, office, school, canteen), making the design quality critically important. - He challenges the conventional architectural practice of designing buildings like 'shoe boxes' without considering the psychological impact of elements like ceiling height or light quality. - A key tool for achieving liveability is ensuring adequate sunlight in key areas like the dining room or bedroom, as harsh or absent light impacts mood. - Shukla identifies the 'narrow point or center focal point' in floor plans, where people bump into each other, as a pollution point that hinders connection. - The talk concludes by urging the audience to remember that the spaces around us shape our experience of life itself, emphasizing the architect's role in creating spaces worthy of life. ![Screenshot at 00:02: The opening slide displays the event branding: TEDx Calcutta IS Youth, alongside logos of several sponsors including SMIFS LIMITED, Stile, The Backyard, 91.9 Friends FM, Dough for you, Vikram Solar, Baazar Kolkata, and Topsel Toyota, setting the stage for the presentation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5SZqi2O2-bw/00-00-02.jpg) **Context:** Mitul Shukla, an architect with 20 years of experience running a firm in Kolkata, delivered this TEDx talk, TEDxCalcutta IS Youth, focusing on the often-overlooked psychological impact of architectural design on human well-being. He uses personal anecdotes and visualization exercises to illustrate how the spaces we inhabit—from our homes to our offices—either enhance or detract from our daily lives, arguing that design should prioritize liveability and emotional connection over mere functionality. ## Detailed Analysis Mitul Shukla begins his talk by asking the audience to close their eyes and visualize places where they feel stress—like a crowded hall or a dark office corner—and contrast them with spaces where they feel happy, such as a balcony or a favorite room. He points out that 90% of life is spent within designed spaces (home, office, school, etc.), underscoring why design quality matters deeply for mental health. Shukla shares a story about a client, Mr. Sharma, who wanted to design a living room and dining area on a large budget, but the resulting design felt like a 'shoe box' where people bumped into each other at the central focal point, creating a pollution point that hindered family connection. He argues that architects often fail by not designing for liveability; for instance, designing a bedroom with a ceiling too high or too low will prevent sleep. Similarly, harsh or absent light in a room leads to tiredness. He suggests that the antidote lies in thoughtful design choices that create warmth (like yellow light) and clarity (clearing clutter to allow flow). Shukla concludes by stating that the spaces we inhabit shape our experience of life, and the architect's true role is to design spaces worthy of life, not just functional containers. ### Visualization Exercise - Audience is asked to visualize stressful spaces (crowded hall, hospital, dark corner) versus happy spaces (balcony, grandmother's kitchen, library) to understand emotional connection to space - Stressful visualization vs. pleasant visualization ### The Problem with Current Design - We spend 90% of life in designed spaces, yet buildings are often treated like containers, resulting in cramped areas where people bump into each other at the 'narrow point or center focal point' - Designing spaces like shoe boxes - Ignoring human needs ### Architectural Impact on Well-being - Poor design choices like overly high/low ceilings in bedrooms lead to poor sleep, and harsh/absent light causes fatigue; good design creates warmth and clarity - Poor ceiling height/light quality leads to negative physical/mental states ### The Solution - Employ simple techniques, like ensuring sunlight reaches dining areas or bedrooms, and clearing clutter to allow flow, which fosters creativity and connection - Simple techniques to enhance liveability and connection ### Conclusion and Takeaway - The final thought is that architecture must be designed for life itself, creating spaces that are 'worthy of life' and foster connection, rather than just serving a function - Spaces shape life experience; architects must focus on livability ![Screenshot at 00:02: The opening slide identifying the event as TEDx Calcutta IS Youth and listing various organizational sponsors.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5SZqi2O2-bw/00-00-02.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:14: The speaker, Mitul Shukla, gesturing while asking the audience to close their eyes to begin a visualization exercise related to stress.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5SZqi2O2-bw/00-00-14.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:36: A visual slide displaying a modern, well-decorated balcony overlooking a scenic view, used to illustrate a space where people feel happy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5SZqi2O2-bw/00-01-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:06: A slide showing an overhead view of a lush, amenity-filled residential complex courtyard with a pool and tennis court.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5SZqi2O2-bw/00-03-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:15: A split-screen slide contrasting a cozy, attic-like room with a grand, palatial interior featuring a sweeping staircase, used to discuss scale and intimacy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5SZqi2O2-bw/00-08-15.jpg)