How to Design in Accordance with Neuroarchitecture?

Neuroarchitecture – How to Design with Your Wellbeing in Mind

First, we must start with the most important thing – what exactly is neuroarchitecture? It is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge focused on studying the impact of architecture, design, and interior design on human brain function. Neuroarchitecture examines how we react mentally and physically to the spaces we find ourselves in.

It won't be a great discovery to state that the places where we spend time, how they are designed, what colors they have, how high the ceiling is, etc., affects our wellbeing. Neuroarchitecture focuses precisely on this aspect, but it doesn't take into account just impressions, but scientific research results. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, EEG, eye tracking, VR technologies, research using bands measuring electrodermal activity – it is precisely these tools that are used to study human brain activity.

Sometimes this type of research resembles the infamous psychological tests: a research group is gathered, whose task is to focus maximally on a given space or imagine being in it, and then, for example, using an electroencephalograph, the stimulated lobes in the brain are recorded. In this way, scientists are able to observe whether a given space has a calming, stimulating effect on the subject, or perhaps they feel stressed or overwhelmed in it.

Architecture and the Brain: How Design Affects Our Wellbeing

Since we already have research results – what next? First of all, we should focus on what kind of space we want to design. Is it a chill zone in the office, a conference room, or a bedroom in our home. We should of course also take into account who we want to create the project for – if it's a younger recipient, we can also use research results, as well as achievements in child psychology. These are quite basic determinants that should become the foundation of our project, although of course not the only ones. The spatial layout, the ergonomics of the rooms themselves, the location of the building, acoustics, proximity to nature, etc. are also crucial.

What should then be found in a space that should serve rest? Taking into account the results from neuroarchitectural research, it should be a space that stimulates the hormone adenosine, which is responsible for sleep regulation. Therefore, the ideal bedroom should:

• be separated from the workplace and, for example, the kitchen,
• have smooth walls in colors that have a relaxing effect (e.g., light blue and green colors are associated with a sense of security and nature, balance),
• have sealed windows, enabling separation from noise, while simultaneously allowing natural light to enter the room,
• contain furniture and textiles made from natural materials (when it comes to furniture and accessories, it's worth remembering that round shapes have a relaxing effect, give a sense of harmony, and browns and whites also calm).

On the other hand, in office spaces, where we should stimulate creativity and focus on communication between employees, it's worth applying the following solutions:

• separating zones for individual teams,
• opening the room to daylight (which positively affects wellbeing, but also concentration), using ergonomic bulbs with a warm light shade,
• introducing a large number of plants to the office (nature has a calming effect on our parasympathetic system),
• using such a room and furniture layout that facilitates communication, but at the same time doesn't expose any employee to "unwanted view" (it's important that everyone has space to withdraw and work individually),
• lack of unnecessary accessories that are distracting,
• appropriate acoustics (depending on the work mode),adjusting ceiling height to the activities performed (low ceilings have a positive effect on methodical, repetitive work, high ones stimulate creativity, giving a sense of freedom),
  using vibrant colors, whether on walls or in accessories (reds and yellows stimulate energy and creativity),
• appropriate wall texture – for neuroatypical people, rough wall texture can positively affect concentration.

These are just some of the guidelines that can be used in your projects – not only interiors, but also entire buildings, gardens, etc. They will differ depending on what space we want to create and for whom – however, research in the field of neuroarchitecture definitely favors the creation of spaces with the concept of wellbeing in mind.