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Tinkering connections between architecture and neuroscience

2017-06-06T15:54:00-04:00

The importance of urban design goes far beyond feel-good aesthetics. A number of studies have shown that growing up in a city doubles the chances of someone developing schizophrenia, and increases the risk for other mental disorders such as depression and chronic anxiety.

While it might appear as common intuitive knowledge, humans are strongly influenced by their context. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies on the connection between neuroscience and architecture.

Last month, London's Conscious Cities Conference brought together architects, designers, engineers, neuroscientists and psychologists to encourage more multidisciplinary engagement. Some of the recent psychological studies focus on defining a stimulating space through the use of wearable devices that monitor skin conductance, various apps, VR and EEG headsets for either visualizing or measuring brain's activity and mental states. Other findings include data on the impact of building facades on our moods, green space on our health, and urban environments on our social interactions.

Analyzing the ways in which the built environment affects our brains through evidence-based research can grant architects the insight needed for making healthier and more socially-consc...

The Conscious Cities Conference is fast approaching! Register now

2016-02-22T03:00:00-05:00

The inaugural Conscious Cities Conference is a little over one week away. Happening at Arup's London office on March 1, the one-day conference is the UK's first event of its kind and is part of the year-long Health, Wellbeing and Architecture programming from the Museum of Architecture and THECUBE. Don't forget to register if you haven't yet.

The Conscious Cities Conference will delve into the evolving relationship between human behavior and the built environment, and the economic impact it creates. The conference will address four different themes that focus on the connection between neuroscience and architecture, with leading experts from both fields responding to thematic questions throughout the event.

Professor Carlo Ratti, director of MIT's SENSEable City Lab, will deliver the keynote speech. Other confirmed speakers include:

Philip Tidd, Consulting Practice Area Leader, Principal, Gensler
Dr. Jon Goodbun, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, University of Westminster
Panos Mavros, res...

Register for the Conscious Cities Conference, featuring keynote Carlo Ratti of MIT's SENSEable City Lab

2016-02-08T20:31:00-05:00

The Conscious Cities Conference will delve into the evolving relationship between human behavior and the built environment, and the economic impact it creates. Taking place at Arup's London office on March 1, the one-day conference is the UK's first event of its kind and is part of the year-long Health, Wellbeing and Architecture programming from the Museum of Architecture and THECUBE.

The collision of technology with the millennial mindset of knowledge exchange and collaboration is changing the way people work and live. As a result, architects, planners, developers and policy-makers must respond to the urgency for cities to meet these new needs by creating the right infrastructure to support growth.

Conscious Cities will address four different themes that focus on the connection between neuroscience and architecture, with leading experts from both fields responding to the following questions:

How does the built environment affect behavior and cognition?
How can the latest findings in n...