Relaxing Retreat: Strategies for Creating a Home That Calms the Mind and Soothes the Brain
Neuroarchitecture: Designing Spaces for Mental Well-being
Neuroarchitecture, a burgeoning field, is revolutionising the way we design spaces. By integrating neuroscientific insights, architects and designers are now able to create environments that promote cognitive well-being and foster mental clarity and productivity.
According to a recent study, a "home-like" environment plays a significant role in this process. Such spaces, characterised by lower heart rates, smoother breathing, and reduced stress markers, allow the nervous system to settle, contributing to mental clarity and well-being. These physiological impacts are measurable using biometric tools like EEG and galvanic skin response (GSR).
Open layouts and biophilic design are essential elements in neuroarchitecture. Spaces with open floor plans, complemented by natural elements like trees and water, elicit strong calming responses, making them not just living or working areas but spaces that restore. Exposure to nature enhances relaxation and cognitive restoration.
Acoustics also play a crucial role in neuroarchitecture. Architectural acoustics designed for auditory clarity, reduced echo, and balanced rhythms significantly improve cognitive alertness and reduce stress. Such sound environments are essential for sustained concentration and emotional balance.
Empathy and inclusivity are at the heart of neuroarchitecture. By employing real-time measurement of diverse users' physiological and emotional responses, designers can create empathetic, inclusive spaces that accommodate different nervous system sensitivities, including for neurodivergent individuals.
Sensory coherence is another key aspect of neuroarchitecture. Coordinating visual, auditory, and tactile sensory inputs to create environments perceived as safe, immersive, and mentally grounding fosters mental well-being and productivity.
Warm, diffuse light, rounded contours, and neural structures like the amygggala and prefrontal cortex are all involved in the rapid evaluations our brains make upon entering a space. The study found that environments that shift light naturally with the day, have gentle shapes, materials inviting touch, intuitive movement, both openness and enclosure, and no jarring elements, are more likely to make people feel at home.
High ceilings are associated with increased cognitive flexibility, while spaces with natural textures and soft lighting tend to activate calming responses, reducing alertness and low-level anxiety.
Virtual walkthroughs allow architects to test how different user groups, including neurotypical adults, children, and individuals with sensory processing differences, experience a design before it's built. A 2023 study using immersive VR and biometric sensors found that environments with open layouts, soft colors, and biophilic elements elicited the strongest calming responses.
The study's findings emphasise the importance of empathy in design, asking designers to consider how a space affects others, not just the designer themselves. By prioritising mental well-being and cognitive clarity, neuroarchitecture is set to transform the way we design and experience spaces.
[1] Research Study A [2] Research Study B [3] Research Study C [5] Additional Source
- Incorporating 'eye tracking' technology could be a valuable addition to neuroarchitecture, as it would provide insights into how users visually interact with different interior-design elements, helping designers create spaces that encourage mental clarity and well-being.
- As the field of neuroarchitecture expands, home-and-garden enthusiasts might find themselves incorporating living spaces that not only accommodate their lifestyle but also promote cognitive well-being, creating homes that not only look beautiful but also offer significant benefits for mental health.
