What is neuroarchitecture and is it a potential growth area for architecture?

Behind every experience of a built space is a feeling, or a mixture of them – emotional responses governed by the way a space has been designed. This is the concept of neuroarchitecture – the meaningful interaction between buildings and subjective indicators such as emotion and wellbeing. While architects’ responses to the concept vary, neuroarchitecture inevitably represents a new epoch, one where psychological insights are changing the way we think about design.

Merging neuroscience and architecture, neuroarchitecture explores how our brains and bodies respond to spaces and places, striving to account for people’s responses to the built environment. As a concept, albeit a fairly new one, neuroarchitecture is grounded in dichotomies. Many are excited about the possibilities of growing inquiries into the field, while many are wary that it may signal a step backwards into a reductionist and limited view and appreciation of architecture.

Merging neuroscience and architecture, neuroarchitecture explores how our brains and bodies respond to spaces and places, striving to account for people’s responses to the built environment.

Gabrielle Charpentier, associate director at Melbourne- based architecture, interiors and strategy studio Made For, believes “the idea of neuroarchitecture is deeply ingrained in the core of architecture and fundamentally inseparable from it.

Throughout history, even primitive shelters offered occupants a sense of security and defined space, influencing human responses and impacting mental wellbeing.” In a similar vein, Lauren Crocket, associate at Melbourne-based firm Sibling Architecture, believes “people should be at the centre of architecture … for many people, a strong cyclical relationship exists between their physical environment, their pain or discomfort experience and their mental state.”

As a concept, albeit a fairly new one, neuroarchitecture is grounded in dichotomies.

While each design brief is determined by individual needs and desires, several themes emerge when looking at spaces designed with neuroarchitecture in mind. Trends in urban environments grounded in neuroarchitecture include opportunities for social interaction and consideration of noise levels, lighting, access to green spaces, inclusivity and visual stimuli.

More specifically, in the realm of commercial and workplace environments, “a notable trend in crafting urban environments is the inclination to isolate breakout spaces,” says Gabrielle. Made For’s design for DPM Financial Services and L1 Capital both strategically implemented working spaces into quiet, tucked-away spots to promote focused work in a comfortable, almost home-like environment. “The addition of a library space catered to the diverse requirements of DPM Financial Services, providing a balance between collaborative interactions and individual work,” says Gabrielle. These elements also nurture a calm workspace, while optimal access to natural light at both workstations and leisure spaces encourages productivity. Its work for M&C Saatchi suggests that thriving work environments go beyond isolated breakout spaces. “It involves providing thoughtful options for social interaction, collaboration and productivity throughout the entire office,” says Gabrielle.

Throughout history, even primitive shelters offered occupants a sense of security and defined space, influencing human responses and impacting mental wellbeing.

Neuroarchitecture also allows for more inclusive designs for neurodivergent groups. Wangaratta District Specialist School by Sibling Architecture, for example, utilises a sensory journey through the building, where different moments are designed for either hypo- or hyper-sensory stimulation. As Lauren says, “when designing spaces to cater to neurodivergent users, common threads can be identified and designed, such as the avoidance of certain colours or the inclusion of withdrawal spaces to more experiential considerations, like the integration of smell and sound or the creation of sensory gardens.”

Colour is also a tool that can be used to create clear wayfinding and a sense of place within buildings. The use of tone was the basis of the design strategy implemented in Sibling Architecture’s redesign of the entry forecourt to Arts Project Australia in Northcote, an inclusive art studio and gallery for diverse artists. “A supergraphic across the floor creates a gradual colour change that ultimately leads visitors to the building entrance,” says Lauren. “The remainder of the palette is purposefully calm in its everyday setting but can be transformed by coloured lighting for special occasions.”

While each design brief is determined by individual needs and desires, several themes emerge when looking at spaces designed with neuroarchitecture in mind.

The increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) is also being explored within neuroarchitecture. “The intersection of AI and architecture holds ambitious potential and tangible concerns,” says Lauren. Used as a tool and coupled with human consideration and creativity, AI can support designers and enable advanced design solutions that positively impact how humans interact with the built environment and enhance neuroarchitecture tenets.

AI can also enable a deeper understanding of built environments and assist in creating more meaningful spaces, enhancing efficiency and sustainability through optimisation and waste minimisation. However, “the tool is only as useful as its data input,” says Lauren. Current applications of AI algorithms in platforms can perpetuate dangerous biases presented in the data used to train them. Since the patterns they are generating are derived from the data of existing conditions, “this can result in suboptimal or even discriminatory spatial outcomes, which reinforce existing inequalities in our urban spaces.”

Trends in urban environments grounded in neuroarchitecture include opportunities for social interaction and consideration of noise levels, lighting, access to green spaces, inclusivity and visual stimuli.

Another design concept intertwined with neuroarchitecture is biophilic design: the idea that incorporating natural elements into the built environment can reduce stress and increase wellbeing. “Biophilic design aligns with the principles of neuroarchitecture, which seeks to understand and optimise the impact of the built environment on human psychology,” adds Gabrielle.

“We often consider landscape within our projects through the incorporation of sensory gardens, which provide users with a space to self-regulate amid nature,” says Lauren. This is explored in Sibling Architecture’s design of Stable House and in early learning environments where ‘nature play’ replaces typical built playground equipment. Also, in the context of workplace or commercial projects, “the integration of biophilic elements, such as green spaces, natural light and organic textures contributes to a more holistic and positive experience,” says Gabrielle. For example, L1 Capital by Made For uses organic textures and materials including natural timber veneer, marble stone and muted tones.

“Biophilic design aligns with the principles of neuroarchitecture, which seeks to understand and optimise the impact of the built environment on human psychology,” adds Gabrielle.

As we enter an era where people are at the centre of design, neuroarchitecture incontrovertibly prevails – we are no longer restrained by technical, ergonomic or functional boundaries. “Architects and designers should proactively integrate insights from neuroarchitecture into their designs, aiming to foster positive mental states,” says Gabrielle. In an age where people are more disconnected from their surroundings than ever before, neuroarchitecture has the potential to be harnessed, alongside the pure creativity of architects, to reconnect humans with their physical surroundings in profound and positive ways.