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The Spaces That Make Us: Why Design Is Broken and How We Can Create a Happier, Healthier World
Create a better life by creating better design. Did you know that. . .
. . . the arrangement of your living room could improve your relationship with your partner?
. . . the layout of your child’s classroom affects their grades and test scores?
. . . the design of your hospital room influences how quickly you recover?
We live in a symbiotic relationship with the spaces around us—first we make our spaces, and then our spaces make us. But we’re living in a suboptimal world, one that we designed. The good We can redesign it. For twenty years, architect and designer Danish Kurani has been transforming spaces to improve people’s health and happiness through the design of schools, homes, offices, and community centers across four continents.
The Spaces That Make Us offers
A clear, easy-to-follow philosophy you can apply to any space—your home, office, school, or neighborhood.Surprising research revealing how design impacts your physical health, emotional well-being, and the quality of your relationships.A journey through the past 2 million years, arriving at how current design practices make life worse.An inspiring vision for creating future designs and a compelling call to rethink design’s fundamentalsPractical strategies for using smarter design to improve your life, at any budget level.
Kurani unveils a lifechanging design philosophy, Baaham (pronounced BAH-hum), a word from Urdu meaning “in tandem”—describing two interconnected things working in harmony. Baaham draws from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology. Whether you’re designing for yourself or others, at any scale from a bedroom to a city block, Baaham is a roadmap for improving health, building deeper relationships, and finding greater fulfillment. It’s not just a philosophy—it’s a way of life.
Featuring seven core principles, Baaham helps everyone—from financially strapped college students to a manager looking to improve their team’s performance—create environments that are functional, beautiful, and life-changing. This book doesn’t tell you what to design. It teaches you how to design, so that you can build the life you want. Engaging illustrations are included throughout every chapter, to illuminate each principle and bring Baaham to life.
The Spaces That Make Us will change how you see the world—opening your eyes to what isn’t working, and helping you remake your spaces for a happier, healthier life.
. . . the arrangement of your living room could improve your relationship with your partner?
. . . the layout of your child’s classroom affects their grades and test scores?
. . . the design of your hospital room influences how quickly you recover?
We live in a symbiotic relationship with the spaces around us—first we make our spaces, and then our spaces make us. But we’re living in a suboptimal world, one that we designed. The good We can redesign it. For twenty years, architect and designer Danish Kurani has been transforming spaces to improve people’s health and happiness through the design of schools, homes, offices, and community centers across four continents.
The Spaces That Make Us offers
A clear, easy-to-follow philosophy you can apply to any space—your home, office, school, or neighborhood.Surprising research revealing how design impacts your physical health, emotional well-being, and the quality of your relationships.A journey through the past 2 million years, arriving at how current design practices make life worse.An inspiring vision for creating future designs and a compelling call to rethink design’s fundamentalsPractical strategies for using smarter design to improve your life, at any budget level.
Kurani unveils a lifechanging design philosophy, Baaham (pronounced BAH-hum), a word from Urdu meaning “in tandem”—describing two interconnected things working in harmony. Baaham draws from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology. Whether you’re designing for yourself or others, at any scale from a bedroom to a city block, Baaham is a roadmap for improving health, building deeper relationships, and finding greater fulfillment. It’s not just a philosophy—it’s a way of life.
Featuring seven core principles, Baaham helps everyone—from financially strapped college students to a manager looking to improve their team’s performance—create environments that are functional, beautiful, and life-changing. This book doesn’t tell you what to design. It teaches you how to design, so that you can build the life you want. Engaging illustrations are included throughout every chapter, to illuminate each principle and bring Baaham to life.
The Spaces That Make Us will change how you see the world—opening your eyes to what isn’t working, and helping you remake your spaces for a happier, healthier life.
Audible Audio
Published February 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 12, 2026
I approached The Spaces That Make Us with genuine professional curiosity, and as an architect, the book resonated deeply with me. Danish Kurani’s exploration of how our environments shape human behavior and wellbeing is not only timely, but essential. Drawing on research, lived experience, and thoughtful examples, Kurani makes a compelling case that the spaces we inhabit are never neutral, they quietly and constantly influence how we live, feel, and connect.
What I appreciated most is that although the book speaks extensively about space, design and ways of designing, it is not just for architects or designers. At its core, The Spaces That Make Us is for everyone. It clearly and thoughtfully explains how our daily lives are intertwined with our surroundings and how these spaces shape our routines, mental health, relationships, and sense of belonging, often without us even realizing it.
Kurani goes beyond aesthetics and trends, introducing the philosophy of Baaham, rooted in harmony and human centric thinking. This perspective encourages readers to look at space not as an object, but as a living participant in everyday life. As an architect, this pushed me to reflect more deeply on my own design decisions, but as a reader, it also changed how I observe and experience spaces I encounter every day.
A special mention goes to the diagrams, simple yet highly effective. They clarify complex ideas without overwhelming the reader, making the concepts easy to grasp and genuinely enjoyable to engage with. Combined with the author’s accessible writing style, they make reading the book a joyful, fluid experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Spaces That Make Us. It is both a professional reflection and a deeply human one, a reminder that good spaces don’t just look good; they help us live better. Highly recommended not only for architects and designers, but for anyone curious about how their surroundings quietly shape who they are and how they live.
What I appreciated most is that although the book speaks extensively about space, design and ways of designing, it is not just for architects or designers. At its core, The Spaces That Make Us is for everyone. It clearly and thoughtfully explains how our daily lives are intertwined with our surroundings and how these spaces shape our routines, mental health, relationships, and sense of belonging, often without us even realizing it.
Kurani goes beyond aesthetics and trends, introducing the philosophy of Baaham, rooted in harmony and human centric thinking. This perspective encourages readers to look at space not as an object, but as a living participant in everyday life. As an architect, this pushed me to reflect more deeply on my own design decisions, but as a reader, it also changed how I observe and experience spaces I encounter every day.
A special mention goes to the diagrams, simple yet highly effective. They clarify complex ideas without overwhelming the reader, making the concepts easy to grasp and genuinely enjoyable to engage with. Combined with the author’s accessible writing style, they make reading the book a joyful, fluid experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Spaces That Make Us. It is both a professional reflection and a deeply human one, a reminder that good spaces don’t just look good; they help us live better. Highly recommended not only for architects and designers, but for anyone curious about how their surroundings quietly shape who they are and how they live.
May 18, 2026
In a moment of serendipity, my partner and I met the author on a flight as we are in the midst of buying a house. I’m so grateful for this book and the author’s genuine thoughtfulness and care. This book is eye-opening, interesting, and approachable for anyone who has not yet given much thought to design and architecture beyond what looks aesthetically pleasing. I learned a great deal and feel much more prepared to enter the home buying process armed with thoughtful questions and intentions about what kind of home will help me and my family live a better life.
May 28, 2026
If you have any interest in how architecture and design shape your daily life, this is the book for you. The author takes readers on an entertaining journey through history and his own experiences, weaving in compelling stories of how good and bad design have profoundly influenced our world. He then explores outstanding design in action across the main areas of everyday life, leaving you inspired by a hopeful and positive vision for the future.
April 6, 2026
clearly written by AI and not even trying to hide it. it was my mistake for buying a book about design written in 2026. the swedish knew this shit hundreds of years ago
May 9, 2026
Spaces That Make Us is one of the most eye‑opening books I’ve read in years. It goes far beyond architecture — it’s a thoughtful exploration of how the spaces around us shape our well‑being, our sense of belonging, and the quality of our everyday lives.
What resonated with me most is the book’s insistence on seeing people as humans, not consumers. In a world where so many homes and buildings feel mass‑produced and disconnected from the people who use them, this message is both refreshing and necessary. Kurani makes a compelling case that great design begins with understanding people’s true needs, not forcing them into cookie‑cutter templates. When design is done right, it doesn’t just look good — it genuinely improves how we live.
As a digital transformation architect, this philosophy struck a deep chord with me. My work revolves around uncovering clients’ real requirements — not just what they say they want, but what will truly enhance their processes, efficiency, and long‑term success. When you take the time to understand people at a deeper level, you create solutions that actually transform their experience. That’s exactly what this book argues for in the world of physical spaces.
Because of that, I found myself nodding through every chapter. The parallels between human‑centered design in technology and human‑centered design in architecture are unmistakable. Anyone in the business of improving lives — whether through systems, services, products, or spaces — will find tremendous value in this book.
This isn’t just a book for architects. It’s for consultants, designers, leaders, educators, and anyone who believes that the environments we create should serve people, not the other way around.
A thoughtful, inspiring, and necessary read. Highly recommended.
What resonated with me most is the book’s insistence on seeing people as humans, not consumers. In a world where so many homes and buildings feel mass‑produced and disconnected from the people who use them, this message is both refreshing and necessary. Kurani makes a compelling case that great design begins with understanding people’s true needs, not forcing them into cookie‑cutter templates. When design is done right, it doesn’t just look good — it genuinely improves how we live.
As a digital transformation architect, this philosophy struck a deep chord with me. My work revolves around uncovering clients’ real requirements — not just what they say they want, but what will truly enhance their processes, efficiency, and long‑term success. When you take the time to understand people at a deeper level, you create solutions that actually transform their experience. That’s exactly what this book argues for in the world of physical spaces.
Because of that, I found myself nodding through every chapter. The parallels between human‑centered design in technology and human‑centered design in architecture are unmistakable. Anyone in the business of improving lives — whether through systems, services, products, or spaces — will find tremendous value in this book.
This isn’t just a book for architects. It’s for consultants, designers, leaders, educators, and anyone who believes that the environments we create should serve people, not the other way around.
A thoughtful, inspiring, and necessary read. Highly recommended.
February 13, 2026
I usually never write reviews, but this is one of those books that truly changes your perspective not just about architecture, but about life in general. Honestly, I think everyone should read it, even if they’re not in the design field. The book starts from the idea that architecture, and bad design is present in all our everyday spaces, and that it’s our responsibility to be aware of how our environment is affecting our well-being.
One of the things I loved the most is that design books usually use very technical language or stay within a niche audience of designers. But this book uses simple language, with tons of real-life examples. It feels very honest and personal from the author’s perspective, and that makes it even more valuable.
I was also really interested in how the chapters are structured. It doesn’t just talk about the problems we face every day because of poorly designed environments, it also offers practical solutions that anyone can apply even if you’re not a designer. Honestly, more than an architecture book, I see it as a philosophy book. It made me reflect on how I use space, what I prioritize as a human being in my daily life, and even how something as simple as the way I get out of bed can improve or worsen my mobility.
As an architect, I’ve come across many architects who design purely for aesthetics, without questioning the functionality or the impact their work will have on others. This book completely opened my eyes to designing beyond aesthetics to being more intentional and careful about what I build, because it can improve or worsen someone else’s life.
So if you’re tired of being part of this contemporary trend of doing things just so they look good, especially for social media, this book is definitely for you. It invites you to rethink the functionality of what you do, not only in design but in life. To make conscious decisions that can improve not just your life, but the lives of the people around you.
Probably my favorite chapter was the last one, about “Baaham.” I had never heard that word before, but its meaning really impacted me: “two things working together, in tandem, and influencing each other.” It felt very personal, because I believe our human connection with nature and the built environment has become very disconnected. And that has led us to live with stress, anxiety, and constant exhaustion. The book talks about finding that balance about how we make our spaces, and then our spaces make us.
I know this review got a little long, but I genuinely hope it reaches many people. I hope we share it and start changing the way we see and understand the world, design, and the way we want to live. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
One of the things I loved the most is that design books usually use very technical language or stay within a niche audience of designers. But this book uses simple language, with tons of real-life examples. It feels very honest and personal from the author’s perspective, and that makes it even more valuable.
I was also really interested in how the chapters are structured. It doesn’t just talk about the problems we face every day because of poorly designed environments, it also offers practical solutions that anyone can apply even if you’re not a designer. Honestly, more than an architecture book, I see it as a philosophy book. It made me reflect on how I use space, what I prioritize as a human being in my daily life, and even how something as simple as the way I get out of bed can improve or worsen my mobility.
As an architect, I’ve come across many architects who design purely for aesthetics, without questioning the functionality or the impact their work will have on others. This book completely opened my eyes to designing beyond aesthetics to being more intentional and careful about what I build, because it can improve or worsen someone else’s life.
So if you’re tired of being part of this contemporary trend of doing things just so they look good, especially for social media, this book is definitely for you. It invites you to rethink the functionality of what you do, not only in design but in life. To make conscious decisions that can improve not just your life, but the lives of the people around you.
Probably my favorite chapter was the last one, about “Baaham.” I had never heard that word before, but its meaning really impacted me: “two things working together, in tandem, and influencing each other.” It felt very personal, because I believe our human connection with nature and the built environment has become very disconnected. And that has led us to live with stress, anxiety, and constant exhaustion. The book talks about finding that balance about how we make our spaces, and then our spaces make us.
I know this review got a little long, but I genuinely hope it reaches many people. I hope we share it and start changing the way we see and understand the world, design, and the way we want to live. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
April 22, 2026
There is a lot to appreciate about this book. It is well researched, thoughtfully structured, and easy to read, with genuinely useful insights. More importantly, for me, it belongs to that rare category of books you do not just read once or twice. It stays with you, like a constant companion.
I believe the biggest reason for this is honesty. More than anything else, this is an honest book. It is an earnest attempt by an architect to revive what he describes as “the mindset of looking at design as a tool to solve human problems,” something that feels increasingly absent today.
The final line, “I cannot wait to see the world you design,” captures this intent most clearly.
The opening chapters, where Danish outlines what has gone wrong in the architecture industry (quite accurately I should say), might for a moment make you think this is a clever marketing attempt at selling some kind of a service. However, as the book progresses, that impression quickly shifts. By the end, you're left with a renewed confidence in your own ability to use design as a means of improving your everyday life.
In this sense, the book succeeds in its purpose. It challenges the perception of design as the mysterious domain of a chosen few visionaries and instead presents it as an essential human skill, that has throughout our history, empowered us to shape the world around us in ways that support more meaningful lives.
I believe the biggest reason for this is honesty. More than anything else, this is an honest book. It is an earnest attempt by an architect to revive what he describes as “the mindset of looking at design as a tool to solve human problems,” something that feels increasingly absent today.
The final line, “I cannot wait to see the world you design,” captures this intent most clearly.
The opening chapters, where Danish outlines what has gone wrong in the architecture industry (quite accurately I should say), might for a moment make you think this is a clever marketing attempt at selling some kind of a service. However, as the book progresses, that impression quickly shifts. By the end, you're left with a renewed confidence in your own ability to use design as a means of improving your everyday life.
In this sense, the book succeeds in its purpose. It challenges the perception of design as the mysterious domain of a chosen few visionaries and instead presents it as an essential human skill, that has throughout our history, empowered us to shape the world around us in ways that support more meaningful lives.
February 22, 2026
To know that designers like this exist in the world gives me hope for a better future. I hope this becomes an inspiration for anyone looking to implement design for the people, not against.
March 18, 2026
**Non-Architect/Designer Review**
The Spaces That Make Us is a genuinely good read. I have no professional background in design and it was the perfect introductory course. And, for someone with lots of design experience it is probably a strong but tasty tonic.
I came in with zero preconceptions and only a vague sense of what a “design philosophy” was, mostly drawn from surreptitiously watching (and secretly enjoying) HGTV over my girlfriend’s shoulder while loudly objecting that I wasn’t. This book changed that. It was the perfect intro—accessible yet transformative. Whether it’s the design of a house, a school, a community—or, dare I say … the world—the ideas put down by Kurani are inviting rather than intimidating.
The prose is succinct, imagistic, and clear, and the diagrams—pared back but still beautiful—complement the writing perfectly. Nothing feels overdone. Everything lands.
I’d recommend this to designers and non-designers alike, including closeted HGTV fans.
The Spaces That Make Us is a genuinely good read. I have no professional background in design and it was the perfect introductory course. And, for someone with lots of design experience it is probably a strong but tasty tonic.
I came in with zero preconceptions and only a vague sense of what a “design philosophy” was, mostly drawn from surreptitiously watching (and secretly enjoying) HGTV over my girlfriend’s shoulder while loudly objecting that I wasn’t. This book changed that. It was the perfect intro—accessible yet transformative. Whether it’s the design of a house, a school, a community—or, dare I say … the world—the ideas put down by Kurani are inviting rather than intimidating.
The prose is succinct, imagistic, and clear, and the diagrams—pared back but still beautiful—complement the writing perfectly. Nothing feels overdone. Everything lands.
I’d recommend this to designers and non-designers alike, including closeted HGTV fans.
February 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As someone who doesn’t usually pick up non-fiction, I was surprised by how easy and enjoyable this book was to read. It’s clear, insightful, and full of thought-provoking ideas that really stick with you.
What I loved most is how it makes you pause and reconsider the spaces and experiences around you—it genuinely shifted how I see the world. The writing is educational without ever feeling heavy or slow, and every chapter leaves you thinking.
This truly feels like a book for everyone, no matter your background or industry. Highly recommend!
As someone who doesn’t usually pick up non-fiction, I was surprised by how easy and enjoyable this book was to read. It’s clear, insightful, and full of thought-provoking ideas that really stick with you.
What I loved most is how it makes you pause and reconsider the spaces and experiences around you—it genuinely shifted how I see the world. The writing is educational without ever feeling heavy or slow, and every chapter leaves you thinking.
This truly feels like a book for everyone, no matter your background or industry. Highly recommend!
March 27, 2026
As to how to stumbled across actually listening to this book besides libro.fm ALC (thanks btw!), that remains a mystery to me.
But it made me question everything. As I vacuumed my cookie cutter house that looks exactly like the others around it, I wondered Why? Why was it designed this way? Why were colors chosen (or lack thereof)?
Also it made me question my classroom. The idea of Baahum totally got me thinking what I could do differently to encourage students to think, stay engaged and be comfortable.
“Learning spaces can be designed so students aren’t afraid to try something new and make a mess. When students feel like the space is built for them to learn, they feel a sense of agency to use it how they please, not how they think they are “supposed to”. That’s how true learning happens.”
But it made me question everything. As I vacuumed my cookie cutter house that looks exactly like the others around it, I wondered Why? Why was it designed this way? Why were colors chosen (or lack thereof)?
Also it made me question my classroom. The idea of Baahum totally got me thinking what I could do differently to encourage students to think, stay engaged and be comfortable.
“Learning spaces can be designed so students aren’t afraid to try something new and make a mess. When students feel like the space is built for them to learn, they feel a sense of agency to use it how they please, not how they think they are “supposed to”. That’s how true learning happens.”
February 17, 2026
Loved this book. It’s filled with little gems that I know I’ll refer back to regularly. It’s written with real life (and relatable) experiences and approachable enough for everyone to get something out of it.
It was so eye-opening when the book spoke about what we have to live with and how long that impacts us as individuals but also as a collective society. I also appreciated the amount of rigor this book took to outline the current state of the world but also define a framework where we can start implementing change in practical ways. I came out of it wanting to be more conscious and mindful about the space around me - and how I can shape it in my own day to day.
It was so eye-opening when the book spoke about what we have to live with and how long that impacts us as individuals but also as a collective society. I also appreciated the amount of rigor this book took to outline the current state of the world but also define a framework where we can start implementing change in practical ways. I came out of it wanting to be more conscious and mindful about the space around me - and how I can shape it in my own day to day.
February 13, 2026
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC!
This book felt like listening to Ted from HIMYM getting to tell the world all the reasons why design goes so far beyond aesthetics and trends.
As someone who is not an architect, designer, etc. I still felt there was a valuable takeaway when considering functionality and feeling of a space over looks and materialistic things. As a parent and home dweller (renter lol) it still felt relevant to me. As someone who works in product, I LOVED the practicality, the simplicity of the layout and how functional this was!
This book felt like listening to Ted from HIMYM getting to tell the world all the reasons why design goes so far beyond aesthetics and trends.
As someone who is not an architect, designer, etc. I still felt there was a valuable takeaway when considering functionality and feeling of a space over looks and materialistic things. As a parent and home dweller (renter lol) it still felt relevant to me. As someone who works in product, I LOVED the practicality, the simplicity of the layout and how functional this was!
April 5, 2026
WHY DO WE CARE MORE ABOUT BANNING BOOKS AND EXPLOITING PRISON LABOR THAN WE DO ABOUT BUILDING SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALS WITH BETTER PATIENT OUTCOMES AND MORE CREATIVE SCHOOLS THAT FOSTER HAPPIER CHILDREN, I MEAN I KNOW WHY, BUT *WHY*
April 29, 2026
Read for class, learned a lot about how design impacts our everyday lives but felt some of these solutions aren't particularly reachable due to the systems that have created the problems. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy
Thoughtful and insightful!
February 14, 2026
Amazing read! This book is well-written, eye-opening and very inspiring!
April 10, 2026
Thought provoking book about how the spaces around us shape our quality of daily life.
I won a copy from Goodreads.
.
I won a copy from Goodreads.
.
May 6, 2026
A delightful reframe on my surroundings and how having an active relationship with them is so consequential to my quality of life.
February 11, 2026
By following a few simple principles of reciprocity, architect Danish Kurani shows us what is currently not working in the design of our cities in general and our homes in particular, and how we could improve everything.
From the website: The Baaham philosophy takes into account psychology, sociology, anthropology, evolutionary biology, and behavioral economics, among other disciplines. It emphasizes personal reflection, problem-solving, biological principles, emotional responses, and local resources in creating spaces that improve our health, happiness, and overall lives. Baaham encourages people to examine their needs and the needs of their communities, to solve real problems and to design for change.
Baaham consists of core tenets that can guide anyone in creating a physical space that is functional, beautiful, and life-changing. These principles include:
Look within
Solve real problems
Design for change
Follow nature
Build locally
Embrace details
Zoom out
Baaham is a comprehensive design philosophy that aims to transform our built environment by putting people at the center. It is a framework that can be used by anyone, regardless of their background or budget, to create spaces that are both meaningful and functional.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
From the website: The Baaham philosophy takes into account psychology, sociology, anthropology, evolutionary biology, and behavioral economics, among other disciplines. It emphasizes personal reflection, problem-solving, biological principles, emotional responses, and local resources in creating spaces that improve our health, happiness, and overall lives. Baaham encourages people to examine their needs and the needs of their communities, to solve real problems and to design for change.
Baaham consists of core tenets that can guide anyone in creating a physical space that is functional, beautiful, and life-changing. These principles include:
Look within
Solve real problems
Design for change
Follow nature
Build locally
Embrace details
Zoom out
Baaham is a comprehensive design philosophy that aims to transform our built environment by putting people at the center. It is a framework that can be used by anyone, regardless of their background or budget, to create spaces that are both meaningful and functional.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews