In recent years there have been many discussions of the place of art in everyday life. Should a tool that’s functional also be beautiful? Is there place for art in the workplace? Once we’ve gotten something working well, how much more should we invest in making it pretty?
More and more, in the 21st century, people recognize the importance of beauty, even in the most utilitarian of applications. People work better when they’re happier. 
Beauty soothes the beast.

In the 6th century, Justinian I built the Basilica Cistern, the largest water reservoir in Constantinople, capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water. Justinian, however, already knew what industrial designers of today are finding out. The huge, dark hall is held up by 336 marble columns. with ionic and corinthian capitals. When lit, it is a forest of pillars and bridges, with the two corner pillars standing on top of giant, inverted medusa heads. Even though it is just a dark, underground water reservoir, Justinian knew it also had to be beautiful.
Justinian didn’t do it for the well-being of his workers or for the flavor of the water.
Justinian knew what lurked beneath the placid surface of the dark, underground water.
Beauty soothes the beast.