University Educators - Resources
How to help?
Ideas on how to Educate that design matters:
Ensure students have a basic understanding of the human sciences: including biology, physiology, neuroscience, perception, anthropology, sociology and psychology
Place the body, the human and experience at the centre of all design projects: Buildings are not objects in of themsleves, all design should be contextuslised in the effect of humanity and our human-related outcomes
Incorporate Health into Design Principles: Teach students to integrate health-promoting features into their designs, such as natural lighting, ventilation, and green spaces, demonstrating how these elements can improve mental and physical well-being.
Focus on User Experience: Encourage students to prioritize the user experience in their designs, understanding that spaces shape daily interactions and can enhance or detract from the quality of life.
Sustainability and Resilience: Guide students to consider sustainability not just as an environmental concern but as a means to support community health and resilience against climate change and urban stressors.
Community Engagement and Inclusion: Stress the importance of engaging with communities throughout the design process to create inclusive spaces that reflect and cater to the diverse needs of all users.
Mental Health Awareness: Highlight the role of design in mental health, teaching how spaces can be designed to reduce stress, foster social connections, and support psychological well-being.
Accessibility and Mobility: Instill in students the importance of designing for accessibility and mobility, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of age or ability, can navigate and enjoy the built environment.
Evidence-Based Design: Encourage the use of evidence-based design by incorporating research findings on the health impacts of various architectural and design choices, fostering a scientific approach to design.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Promote interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to work with professionals in health, psychology, and environmental science to create holistic and impactful designs.
Ethics and Responsibility: Discuss the ethical implications of design decisions, emphasizing the architect’s responsibility in shaping environments that positively affect human health and happiness.
Critical Evaluation of Spaces: Teach students to critically evaluate existing buildings and urban spaces, identifying how they impact health and well-being and envisioning redesigns that could improve user experience.
University educators in the fields of architecture and urban design play a crucial role in shaping the future of our built environments. They have the responsibility to instill in their students an understanding of how design matters greatly and the profound impact that buildings and our constructed surroundings have on health, happiness, and the human experience. By emphasizing the importance of designing spaces that promote well-being, facilitate learning, and enhance joy, educators can inspire future architects and urban planners to prioritize projects that improve the quality of life for all inhabitants. This educational approach fosters a holistic understanding of the wider implications our buildings have on society, not merely focusing on immediate stakeholders and users.
Educators must highlight that the structures we create are more than just physical spaces; they are environments that significantly influence our well-being. From impacting health outcomes to shaping educational achievements, the design of our built environments holds the power to either enhance or detract from our quality of life. Therefore, it is essential for university educators to ensure that their curriculum includes discussions about the role of architecture in combating diseases, boosting educational attainment, and generating joy.
Key Resources
1. Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) ANFA promotes and advances knowledge linking neuroscience research to a growing understanding of human responses to the built environment. Their website offers resources, publications, and information on upcoming events related to neuroscience and architecture.
2. Centre for NeuroArchitecture and NeuroDesign This center integrates architecture and design with neuroscience and novel technology to reimagine the spaces we inhabit. They focus on foundational research, industry-engaged innovation, and education in neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Their website provides access to their projects, publications, and educational resources.
3. UCL and RISE Collaboration on NeuroArchitecture and NeuroDesign University College London (UCL) and the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) have launched a collaboration to explore how the human brain interacts with built environments. Their goal is to design sustainable and inclusive surroundings that enhance health and well-being. More information about their initiatives and research can be found on UCL's website.
4. NeuroDesign Research at Stanford University Stanford's NeuroDesign Research program operates at the intersection of psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, anthropology, and design. Their website offers insights into how these fields converge to inform architectural practice, including access to their research findings and publications.
5. Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics - University of Pennsylvania This center aims to understand the neural systems that underlie aesthetic experiences and choices, including investigations into the nature and neural basis of beauty, art, design, and architecture. Their website provides access to their research, publications, and information on upcoming events.
https://neuroaesthetics.med.upenn.edu/
6. Clemson University's Architecture + Health Program Clemson offers a Master of Architecture in Architecture + Health, a program that examines architecture-health relationships for settings and conditions ranging from entire communities to specific projects and individual spaces. Details about the program, including curriculum and application information, are available on their website.
https://www.clemson.edu/caac/academics/architecture/programs/architecture/architecture-health.html
7. NeuroArchitecture Online Course by NeuroAU NeuroAU provides an online course offering participants exposure to the theory and applications of neuroscience to architecture and design. The course covers subjects like emotion, memory, decision-making, perception, and their relation to elements of architecture and design. Enrollment details and course content are available on their website.
8. The Center for Health Design This organization offers a comprehensive collection of healthcare design research, best practices, resources, and tools aimed at creating environments that are efficient, safe, and conducive to healing. Their website provides access to a variety of publications and resources related to health-focused architectural design.