Man is constantly surrounded by different elements that profoundly influence him. Environmental Psychology explains man's behaviour in relation to his physical environment, which states that the environment influences our behaviour at several levels. For example, on a macro level, the characteristic personality make-up of people in a country is shaped by the nature and type of environment to which they are subjected for long periods, while on a micro level the arrangement of furniture in a room influences the way in which people in the room interact.

We spend an average of 87% of our existence in buildings and yet know very little about the interaction between our brain and our buildings. Research from a diverse array of disciplines including architecture, design, psychology, neuroscience and environmental science is contributing to the evidence, which shows that the built environment we inhabit, significantly affects our wellbeing. The Psychology of Architecture studies how architectural styles reflect the needs and preferences of people and how different designs mould and shape behaviour.

An effective design should maximize freedom of behaviour, mobility and flexibility. It has been shown that closeness to elements of nature like pools, plants and trees make people feel more relaxed, while a more constricted environment like office cubicles or cramped spaces limit creativity. This is where the concept of neuroarchitecture comes into the picture.

Neuroarchitecture is the influence of the design of buildings on man's central nervous system. It aims to account for our responses to the built environment. This trend is changing the way we think about town planning, urban design, and even the interior design of our homes. The intersection of architecture and neuroscience can tell us a lot, about how we perceive, imagine, interpret, and respond to buildings, reinforcing the Winston Churchill quote,

"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us."

How does this happen?

Special cells found in the hippocampal region of our brains are tuned in to geometry and how our spaces are organised. Whenever you enter a room, home or any environment, these cells are busy navigating and storing spatial information in the form of cognitive 'maps.'

If you remember your heart pump faster and your breath quicken when in a space where you were uncomfortable and wanted to leave, it is the hypothalamus in your brain telling your adrenals to release adrenaline and cortisol, the 'stress' hormones. Our physiological state has a huge impact on our health, hence 'healthy' homes, workplaces and buildings are paramount to our wellbeing.

Different demographics such as age, cultural background and possibly gender - might dictate our preferences.

Urban authorities have now recognised social isolation as a major risk factor for many illnesses. 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. This is largely due to the waning meaningful social interactions in cities that are crucial for mental health. Experts suggest that more exposure to green spaces can act as a solution. The visual complexity of natural environments acts as a kind of mental balm.

Another study concluded that most people feel better in rooms with curved edges and rounded contours than in sharp-edged rectangular rooms.

Advantage

Virtual reality is observing a growth potential for understanding and anticipating human reactions to the built environment, and potential impacts of future forms before they are built. However, one criticism of virtual reality tools is that the process does not capture the full multi-sensory experience of humans in the built environment, ignoring the fact that our minds and bodies are tracking an exceedingly wide array of stimuli.

Challenge

The purpose of neuroarchitecture is to empower people living in their environments hence; it should not be prescriptive as a building can hold different meanings for different people. For example, a hospital can be a living space, a workspace and a personal space to different people. This can be seen as an element of challenge for neuroarchitecture in the future.