I’ve had the incredible privilege of attending and recently completing a course in NeuroArchitecture, developed and presented by a globally recognized leader in the field, Andrea De Paiva. NeuroArchitecture, also referred to as Neuroscience for Architecture, is an interdisciplinary field that delves into the profound impact of architectural design on human behavior and well-being.

The course spanned six months, from April to September, featuring live online workshops every second Saturday afternoon. These workshops brought together approximately 20 participants, including past course attendees and esteemed guest speakers from the worlds of architecture and neuroscience. Andrea De Paiva’s infectious enthusiasm for the subject, coupled with meaningful interactions with like-minded designers from around the world, made each module engaging and highly informative.

Architecture is a multifaceted discipline. For architects, it’s an art form, and for inhabitants, it can be life-defining. Our environment, comprising the natural, societal, and built elements, significantly influences us in diverse ways. As Winston Churchill stated in 1943 during the reconstruction of the British Parliament building, “we shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.” This profound statement underscores how architectural design can affect human behavior, productivity, and overall well-being. This bi-directional relationship between architectural design and the human experience is at the core of NeuroArchitecture.

While we can measure quantifiable aspects like budget, thermal performance, and structural requirements with a fair degree of certainty, the “softer” aspects of design, such as its impact on health, mood, feelings, and emotions, have historically relied on subjective notions, designer intuition, and personal experience. NeuroArchitecture empowers architects, interior designers, and landscape architects with evidence-based knowledge to make informed design decisions regarding these “softer” aspects. It also allows NeuroArchitecture consultants to review designs during the planning stages and recommend improvements based on desired occupant outcomes. Importantly, this scientific approach complements, rather than replaces, intuition and emotional sensitivity in the design process.

In essence, NeuroArchitecture enhances our understanding of ourselves, our physiology, and our needs. Modern humans have evolved rapidly over the last century, but our physiological selves remain closely tied to our ancestors who inhabited the savannahs and plains for thousands of years. It’s ironic, however, that it’s only through our rapidly evolving technology that we’ve been able to explore and analyze these ancient aspects of our nature.

As the pace and pressures of daily life increase, many seek new ways to cope with stress and improve health, from meditation and yoga to organic diets, intermittent fasting, and even cold exposure. It’s also essential to examine how our built environment affects us. The same principle applies to all these approaches: we must look within ourselves to understand how we truly respond and function. Increasingly, we discover that aligning our actions with the way we’ve functioned for thousands of years yields better results. Our ancestors didn’t need intermittent fasting for better health; they experienced it during unsuccessful hunts. Similarly, they didn’t intentionally immerse themselves in icy cold water for health benefits; they merely encountered cold conditions. They moved constantly and lived in harmony with the natural rhythm of sunlight. Yet, the first thing we often encounter in the foyer of a building is the elevator. Instead, a beautiful staircase could encourage movement, with the elevator foyer as a secondary option. NeuroArchitecture offers insights into these aspects, such as the influence of warm evening light on melatonin release and the benefits of visual patterns found in nature.

Neuroscientists have provided the means to measure and quantify these effects, essentially granting us access to a new chapter in the “user manual” for humans that we previously lacked. Evidence-based design decisions are now possible, bridging the gap between intuition and science.

In conclusion, NeuroArchitecture is a dynamic field that leverages neuroscience to revolutionize architectural design. By incorporating evidence-based principles into the design process, architects and designers can create spaces that promote well-being, productivity, and comfort. As our understanding of the human mind and body deepens, we will have the increasing opportunity to craft environments that align more closely with our evolutionary history and physiological needs.

Recommended Links and References:

1. Neuro AU