Book Synopsis

The physical spaces we inhabit impact us so much more than we realize. From home to work and everywhere in between, learn how to get more out of your spaces, and yourself.

So many books address how to live a good life. This one is about where.

Weaving together lessons ranging from ancient monuments to modern office layouts, from the backyard where we once played and explored to the college dorm where we forged lifelong bonds, behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz illuminates how our physical environment can transform our habits, our relationships, and even who we are.

Readers learn why we perform better on our "home turf" vs in neutral territory, why we thrive in some work environments but not others, why our love of certain patterns is an impulse rooted in our evolutionary past, and more.

Whether you're picking a venue for your next birthday party, renovating your kitchen, or deciding which neighborhood to move to, Klotz provides the scientific grounding and practical wisdom for creating spaces that foster genuine belonging,

About the Author

Leidy Klotz is a behavioral scientist and engineering professor at the University of Virginia who studies how and why humans design. He has written for the Washington Post, Fast Company, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review; has published his work in top journals like Nature and Science; and has been interviewed on Hidden Brain, Freakonomics, Mindscape, and The Atlantic's How to Build a Happy Life. Klotz has advised clients ranging from the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to CapitalOne and Amazon.