We're suckers for any architecture that looks like us

2015-08-19T17:55:00-04:00

It is believed that all mammals, including humans, have a ‘figural primitive’ in the brain, a pattern with two dots representing eyes, a vertical line representing a nose and a horizontal one for the mouth, at the ready to perceive upright face-like input instantaneously. [...] So when we look at buildings that suggest a face, we feel a kinship, maybe a little love, maybe in reunion with an extended family member.

As advancements in neural imaging technology allow for more accessible and legible understandings of our brain, architectural theory has begun borrowing more and more from neuroscience. The two disciplines' explicit collaboration is part of the agenda of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, and is increasingly adopted in academic design research.

For more on architecture and neuroscience:

"Sculpting the Architectural Mind" conference examines neuroscience's effects on architecture education
The Brain on Architecture
AfterShock #3: Brains and the City
Developing an "urban neuroscience" to build better cities
AfterShock #4: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Neuroscientific Architecture Research

Archinect - News

We're suckers for any architecture that looks like us