The Access Association’s Post

"Our buildings arise out of our brains, and our brains—and our bodies—spend an average of 87% of their existence in buildings. And yet, we know relatively little about the interaction of the two" 👀 The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) biennial conference at UC San Diego and the Salk Institute tackled a fascinating challenge: how can architects and neuroscientists collaborate on building design? Well actually, the physical spaces and surroundings we interact with—like buildings, urban layouts, and interior design—can impact how we think (cognition), how we interpret sensory information (perception), and how we act or respond (behavior). The collaboration between these two fields is crucial for creating spaces that enhance well-being. 🧠🏛️ A must-read for those curious about how design impacts the mind! ***Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dkGQmjyt

⚠️"When the city is being designed for people at the extreme, the city becomes a better space for everybody." 🚨New panel conversation for the 🎉🎉200th episode🎉🎉 on the What is The Future for Cities? podcast: NeurodiverCity - An 'eye-opening' conversation on bathrooms (among others) with Kirsten Day and Lucas Gil nadolskis! Find out more in the episode and share it, links 👇 #neurodiversity #sensoryexperience

Looking forward to this important discussion as we stand at the threshold of spacial computing.

I am taking a course in neuroarchitecture with the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA)’s ANDREA DE PAIVA and very thankful for the last lecture by David Kirsh, which completely fascinated me (that’s where the magic of learning happens). “We encounter environments through activities. He experiences this space quite differently than a customer” says a description on one of David Kirsh’s slides. David’s proposal that we stopped analyzing spaces as Euclidean spaces and begun analyzing them as activity spaces once again showed the challenge for us architects. If we want to understand the human interaction with the built environment more fully, we need to analyze people as if their environments were a part of larger space-time where their minds, bodies and whole organisms operate, related to various goals - small daily goals and large biological goals. And as if their built environments were potentially a part of the external contributors to: Incomplete actions. Unrealised goals. Unsatisfied needs But also Facilitating those Unexpectedly good Bringing positive emotions It reminds me more of a work a CBT therapist does, starting with the case formulation… Funny example of how I think it can work. I google “David Kirsh” to gain knowledge about his research, so that’s the goal I realize by this activity. Meanwhile, google proposes another search for a person called similarly: David Kirsch, who is a personal trainer. The question proposed by google is “David Kirsch girlfriend” - google guesses which activity space one might operate in in relation to David Kirsch - the one where a goal is to mate. Just an example of how design (of a web browser) can become a part of two distinct activity spaces? Is there anyone who has been analyzing activity spaces in their architectural practice? #neuroarchitecture #architecture

HAND DRAWING? WHY IT STILL MATTERS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE. Join us for a symposium with perspectives from embodied cognition, neuroscience, teachers, and practitioners. Carnegie Mellon University’s McConomy Auditorium, Saturday February 17, 2024, 9am–2:30pm. RSVP for in-person and Zoom options at https://lnkd.in/d9ejhRwV Keynote: Juhani Pallasmaa, author, The Eyes of the Skin; The Thinking Hand; Architecture and Neuroscience (with Harry Mallgrave, Michael A. Arbib). What is the case for freehand drawing for architects in the digital age? Current architecture students draw less and less by hand and now develop their proposals predominantly with design software. We need a clearer and unsentimental understanding of just what might be lost with this sea change. This symposium will enlist practitioners, teachers, and scientists alike in addressing the visual/haptic content of freehand drawing and the value it still has for the field. Here is a schedule of conversations and some of the questions we’ll address in each: - Perspectives from Science • Is there evidence that the haptic/gestural content of freehand drawing helps in sustaining three-dimensional visualization? - Perspectives from Practice •.In your practice, when do you tend to use freehand drawing the most? When the least? Supported by the Doug Cooper, A 1970, Fund for Drawing and Architecture The symposium is eligible for 6 AIA CEUs.

Designing for the Human Experience Dive into the world of #neuroarchitecture, where architects collaborate with neuroscientists to create evidence-based, human-centric spaces. https://ow.ly/cHHX50SwTv6

Imagine the stereotypical biotech lab space: smudge-free counters and walls, blindingly white surfaces, and an array of stainless steel machines, all set up for maximum focus and cleanliness to further the pursuit of innovation. But a new study about the way different kinds of scientists use lab space suggest the one-size-fits-all approach isn’t just aesthetically sterile, it might actually inhibit scientific research, and require a new design approach to fix. Roughly half of lab workers and scientists identify as neurodivergent, or somewhere on the autism spectrum (double the global average of 20%), according to new research conducted by Advanced Research Clusters (ARC), a British developer of lab space, HOK, a global architecture practice and the University of the West of Scotland. The same survey found the rate of autism among lab workers is 25%, or 25 times the U.K. average. 

This was my academic project from the second year, where we were instructed to create an intervention in any part of the university. The key aspect of the design was that it should encourage physical movement and engagement with the body. Post (1 of 3) This space holds small pockets of transitional spaces in it. The concept behind this is very clear which is carried on from the previous exercises. There is a continuous experience changing in the space. The movements of body have made me designed such space which is unique from the previous designs because the stimulate effect causes these movements, and in turn have made this space come into being. . . . . . . . #AcademicProject #ArchitectureDesign #UniversityIntervention #PhysicalMovement #BodyEngagement #DesignForMovement #InnovativeDesign #SecondYearProject #SpatialDesign #ArchitectureStudents #CreativeIntervention #DesignForWellbeing #InteractiveDesign

Following my earlier post on the dynamic nature of memory, I am reflecting on the profound implications this has for architectural practice. Spaces are not mere physical constructs but play an active role in shaping human experiences and development. According to recent studies, the brain's ability to form and consolidate memories involves complex neural processes that are influenced by our surroundings (University at Buffalo, 2024). These findings highlight the critical role that well-designed spaces play in supporting cognitive functions and emotional well-being. As architects, we have the power to design environments that enhance human potential. By incorporating elements that promote comfort, engagement, and inspiration, we can create spaces that positively influence memory formation and overall mental health. We have a mission and is to create environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to the holistic development of individuals, fostering a sense of well-being and positive experiences. #Architecture #Memory #HumanDevelopment #DesignImpact #BuiltEnvironment University at Buffalo. (2024). "Research into the nature of memory reveals how cells that store information are stabilized over time." ScienceDaily. Retrieved from ScienceDaily.

Ongoing research reveals the positive impact of 'Environmental Enrichment' on our brains and creativity. With over 90% of our time spent indoors, the spaces we inhabit truly shape our health. . . . . #silverlushdevelopmentgroup #sldg #architecture #architect #construction #environmentalenrichment #wellbeing