Welcome to our May edition of 5 Useful Things. In these mid monthly emails we share with you 5 useful things we have come across during our work and personal time that we hope you will enjoy.

This month we have a variety of discoveries that we hope you will get some value from. If you have stumbled across something that you think our readers would find useful, please let us know!

1. Something to Listen To

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

While not architecture-specific, this podcast offers deep insight into well-being, habits, and the psychology of space and satisfaction — all relevant to how we design and experience buildings.

Listen Now

2. Something To Watch

How the Underground Clocks of Paris Work

This video explores the deeply strange and elegant infrastructure of Paris’s underground clocks — a hidden layer of urban design you never knew you needed.

Watch Now

3. Something To Read

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

A foundational book on creativity and productivity — with big relevance for studio culture and solo practice. Think of it as a manual for entering the design “zone.”

Learn More

4. Something Useful

Defra Magic

This website provides authoritative geographic information about the natural environment from across government. The information covers rural, urban, coastal and marine environments across Great Britain. Really useful mapping of information, be sure to check out the help section to get the most out of the map.

Learn More

5. Something Fun to Explore

Never Too Small – Small-Space Living Channel

A beautifully produced YouTube channel spotlighting clever, compact homes around the world. Full of thoughtful details and layout inspiration, ideal for anyone working on small-scale design.

Explore Now

I hope you find something here that perhaps you haven't stumbled across before. We will continue to keep our eyes open to anything we think you will find useful or enjoy, and keep you updated every month with our 5 Useful Things. If you want to share something, then please do drop us an email, we would love to hear from you.

This month's selection came from Emma W and Axelle.

Thank you, as always, for reading our emails and showing us your love and support. It really means a lot.

All our best,

Emma and the First In Architecture Team

First In Architecture