Neuroscience in architecture
General background.
Being neuroscience, the science that deals with the nervous system, cognitive neuroscience has emerged as support for the complex study of man, making a synthesis between cognitive psychology, neuroscience and computer science. “The objective of neuroscience is to understand the mind: how we perceive, move, think and remember” (SUTIL & PERAN, 2012).
Establishing a balance with our mind and the physical space we inhabit improves human well-being and facilitates cognitive functions, favoring the design of spaces for healing, education and creativity, it is necessary to accept the historical and embodied essence of human existence, experience, cognition and memory.
Scientific basis.
Neuroscience and environmental psychology studies have developed discoveries between architecture and the study of the brain, pioneered by neuroscientist Fred H. Gage of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, who in 1998, together with Peter Eriksson of Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, announced the discovery that the human brain is capable of producing new nerve cells (neurons) in adulthood and that this is facilitated by an environment rich in stimuli.
Based on this, the Academy of Neurosciences for Architecture (ANFA [1]), founded in 2003 in San Diego, trusts that brain science is capable of generating architectural development and its mission is to promote the advances discovered in the lines of neuroscience to bring closer understanding of the human stimuli caused by the constructed building.
Relationship with architecture.
The architectural context gives the human experience a unique structure and meaning through photogrammatic projections and specific horizons for the perception and understanding of our own existential situation. (Pallasma, 2013).
Recent insights into the complexities of the study of the human brain and nervous systems emphasize the innate multisensory nature of our existential architectural experiences.
The work of architecture has become a partner in the development of knowledge and behavior, the purpose of which is to increase the capabilities of being at the service of society.
Architecture being a social discipline, it is important to know what function it has with respect to other disciplines, particularly with neurosciences. The task of architecture extends beyond its materiality, functionality and dimensions and even beyond aesthetics, into the mental and existential sphere of living.
Antonio Damasio, a neurologist who studies the neurobiological bases of human life, says that "The brain can act directly on the object itself that it is perceiving. It can do so by modifying the state of the object, or by altering its transmission of signals."
The perception of architectural space as favorable or unfavorable in emotions or behaviors is influenced by individual experiences and thinking, as well as by design pickpockets in the space.
Researchers.
Some researchers comment that: “It involves considering how each aspect of an architectural environment could influence certain brain processes, such as those related to stress, emotion, and memory,” Eve Edelstein), Ph.D., professor, neurologist, and architect.
John Zeisel"), delves into the field of neuroscience to describe the impact of buildings and spaces on our lives. It is about “knowing ourselves from the inside, to be able to conceive buildings and spaces in line with our well-being, not only physical, but also mental.”
Neuroscience is associated with psychophysics, which studies behavior and reactions to different spaces, in a pragmatic, stimulus-response way, also with environmental psychology, biophilic design and many others.
"We certainly have similar remains in our mental constitution, of our biological and cultural historicity; one aspect of such deeply hidden memory was pointed out by Sigmund Freud and Carl G Jung, namely, of archetypes. Jung defined archetypes dynamically as certain tendencies of distinct images to evoke certain types of associations and feelings." (Pallasma, 2013).
Research.
Meredith Bnasiak, associate research architect ANFA (Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture), teaching at the University of Colorado in a graduate seminar on “Design with the Brain in Mind,” which examines the connections between cognitive science and our environment.
As part of his research with Dr. Layne Kalbfleisch, cognitive neuroscientist and director of KIDLAB at the Krasnow Institute, George Mason University, they conducted an examination of scale effects on cognition in children and the aging population, and the role of visual stimuli in problem solving.
Eve Edelstein, Ph.D. in neurophysiology, working with Professor Eduardo Macagno and the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies (Calit2), the team has developed synchronous systems to explore the human body and brain for response to design while immersed in full-scale, three-dimensional projections of a building within a virtual reality “CAVE.”
With a research grant from HMC Architects, they created innovative software that allows architects to immediately experiment and evaluate design changes in which multiple design hypotheses can be tested. The team developed remote EEG systems to track navigation and visual attention, tracking how a person reacts to cues to find specific paths and architectural features.
REFERENCES.
DAMASIO, A. (2006). In search of Spinza. Neurobiology of emotion and feelings. Barcelona: (Spanish translation by Joandomenec) Editorial Crítica.
ERIKSSON, S. P., PERFILIEVA, E., BJORK-ERIKSSON, T., ALBORON, A.-M., NORDBORG, C., PETERSON, D., and others. (1998). Neurogenesis in the adult human hippocampus. Nature Medicine.
SUTIL, L., & PERAN, J. L. (2012). Neuroarchitecture and consumer behavior: a design model proposal. King Juan Carlos University, Barcelona.
BELL, P., GREENE, T. C., FISHER, J. D., & BAUM, A. (2001). Environmental Psychology. Fifth edition.
Pallasmaa, Juhani, Mallgrave, Harry, and Arbib, Michael. Architecture and Neuroscience – a Tapio Wirkkala – Rut Bryk Design Reader. Espoo, Finland: Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation, 2013.
http://www.anfarch.org/.