psychitecture.com

For many of us the environment is no more significant than the surrounding air, and only intrudes on our consciousness when it causes particular harm, discomfort or pleasure . This is also the case with home environment which is, in contrast with this perceived insignificance, of tremendous significance as this is the setting where people typically spend most of their time.

The home environment is also the venue for contact with the most important members of one's social network, and for most people represents their major financial and personal investment.

Despite these facts, the influence of the home environment on the individual is remarkably unclear and because of this, research remains a priority. As individuals experience the environment in a holistic manner, a major dilemma in environmental research is the definition and conceptualization of 'environment' as well as determining nature and structure of the various components that make out the 'environment'.

From the available literature it is apparent that a great number of diverse elements are considered to constitute these environments.
Although a useful method to categorize environmental elements, as either being of a physical or social nature, it is necessary to delineate to a greater degree between these elements in order to arrive at a conceptual framework of environmental components or levels.

The aim of this discussion is to suggest a three-levelled approach to categorize environmental elements of physical as well as social and psychological nature. This approach is only intended to serve as departure point for further exploration and research.

Through this approach all environmental elements can be categorized as belonging on one of three levels. For now these levels can be called the primary, secondary or tertiary level. All elements on these levels are in constant interaction with elements on the other levels and collectively determine the environment and environmental quality.
Because of varying concepts and definitions some elements may be
found to exist on more than one level, although this is the exception rather than the rule. For the purpose of this discussion the home and neighborhood environment will serve as example.

Elements on the primary level refer to the environmental elements that constitute the physical structure of the residential or neighborhood environments. If these elements are defined as variables they can easily be measured by simple observation or measurement. These include the general material quality of the house and neighborhood. The physical quality of the structural components such as walls, floors, doors, windows, roof, ceiling, paintwork, woodwork, plumbing fixtures, type of lighting used, landscape and decorations, are also found on this level. The physical distance to schools, commercial and green areas as well as the distance to fresh water, together with the physical quality of roads, parks and street lighting are included on this level as well. These elements are of a physical nature and their quality can be assessed easily. Although easily assessed, the direct effect of these elements on the individual or community is not easy to  determine. Because of this, the effect of these elements on social and psychological welfare and need satisfaction cannot be determined by a simple assessment.

Elements on the secondary level are influenced by the elements on Ihe primary level, but are not purely of a concrete or physical nature.
These elements include temperature, noise, privacy, access to shops, banks, schools and entertainment (access, in contrast to distance depends on resources available, as distance does not necessarily determine access), transport, space available inside as well as  outside the home, privacy, security, view, appearance and general layout. The quality of the elements on this level is more difficult to assess than elements on the primary level, but the effect of these elements on the individual is easier to assess as individual satisfaction will play a role.

On the tertiary level, elements are found that are influenced by the primary as well as secondary levels, but which are largely determined
by the individual's psychological response to, and assessment of, the elements on the primary and secondary levels. Elements on the tertiary level are determined by the extent to which the environment satisfies individual needs and focus primarily on the experiential and perceptual aspects of the environment. These include feeling safe, feeling comfortable, being able to do what one wishes, to feel proud and to be satisfied with the conditions of the home or neighborhood.
These elements are of a psychological nature and are determined by the individual's assessment of the degree to which the environment supports his or her personal goals, needs and sociocultural structures. Although the quality of these elements is more difficult to assess than the elements on the primary and secondary levels, the effect of these elements on the individual is easier to determine. If the individual's basic needs are taken into consideration

It may be possible to determine how elements on the primary and secondary levels interact to satisfy the individual's needs and therefore
improve the quality of the elements on the tertiary levels.