What houses need to be like

"We gravitate toward spaces that offer 'prospect and refuge—that is, we like 'a big, bright space that has a broad interesting view,' but we also like refuges, 'snug protected haven[s].' Ideally, homes incorporate both. " "We have beautiful, comfortable homes so that we might welcome guests." (Lauren Winner)

"The problem with the typical suburban house is that it is boring without being restful, and this is because it is designed with too much symmetry, smoothness, and regularity. Texture—that is, some irregularity or variation in a surface—creates a sense of shelter. Texture can come from above, through variation in ceiling height; from below, through variation in floor type; or from the sides, through the addition of trim, woodwork, and alcoves to otherwise flat walls. The construction of small spaces within a large space generates that sense of security that makes us feel at home. Similarly, the repetition of forms, particularly archetypal shapes like circles or squares, is comforting and unifying. On the other hand, a well-designed house must be more than a womb; it should also rouse us to explore the world. This need for stimulation is met through the use of asymmetry, through the placement of tiles or furniture on the diagonal, and through the design of long, unobstructed views, both within the house and from the inside to the outside." (Andrea Nagy)