Abstract

Recently, the pursuit of well-being in architecture has been called one of the main global megatrends. Politicians, economists, developers and researchers try to define the concept. Several methodologies of measuring well-being and satisfaction have been developed and popularised in architectural research. This paper aims to review those tendencies and juxtapose them with established concepts of eudemonia and forgiveness, which have been developed by thinkers and researchers since the time of Socrates and which are being revitalised by positive psychologists today.
The paper builds a case for mixed-method research as the best way of investigating and understanding the complexity of well-being.
The case study of research on heritage houses in Lincolnshire, UK offers examples illustrating how mixed-method research could correct drawbacks of single methodologies which could be very misleading if applied individually.
Key words: well-being, mixed-method research, eudemonia, mud and stud, heritage architecture