Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing
<p><strong>Purpose</strong></p><p>With the growing recognition of the significance of sustainable development and promoting good health and wellbeing, sustainable development and mental health are still newly integrated in the scientific literature. This research aims t...
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Academy Publishing Center
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development |
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| Online Access: | http://apc.aast.edu/ojs/index.php/RESD/article/view/876 |
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| author | Alaa Akmal Elghor Zeinab Shafik Atef Abdel-Moneim Ali Mennat-Allah Elhusseiny |
| author_facet | Alaa Akmal Elghor Zeinab Shafik Atef Abdel-Moneim Ali Mennat-Allah Elhusseiny |
| author_sort | Alaa Akmal Elghor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p><strong>Purpose</strong></p><p>With the growing recognition of the significance of sustainable development and promoting good health and wellbeing, sustainable development and mental health are still newly integrated in the scientific literature. This research aims to highlight the potential of neuro-architecture, which is an interdisciplinary field that studies the relationship between the built environment, cognitive neuroscience and psychology, of enabling architects to gain more scientific-based studies to understand the biological and sensory effect of built environments on our brains for sustainable mental health.</p><p><strong>Design/ methodology</strong></p><p>This is a quantitative deductive experimental research adopting comparative neuroscientific approach to measure the impact of form of space boundaries on animal model where form of space boundaries is the only changed parameter and the only variable. This is attained by conducting behavioural assessment and biological tests. Data is analysed statistically using ANOVA & Dunkin.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Findings</strong></p><p>Behaviour assessment using the Y-Maze test demonstrated that mice housed in curvilinear space had strong working memory that indicates intact prefrontal cortical performance. Also, biological tests results showed a significant increase in formation of antioxidants in spaces with curvilinear boundaries. These findings promote that curvilinear forms not only have an aesthetic and psychological preference but also can have neurological enriching impact over a long period of time on brain health.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Practical implications</strong></p><p> This research sheds light on the multidisciplinary approach of architecture and urban design. The science-based method adopted clarifies that architects and urban designers can seek evidence using scientific tools and including scientific approaches in design decisions. Creating inspiring spaces which affect the users moods, health and well-being can be easily verified using experimentation. Thus, sustainable design is not limited to applying surficial strategies, but also can be included into actual evaluation based on biological variations. Thus, sustainable architecture and wellbeing can be proven scientifically to inform architects and designers regarding a revolutionary approach in designing spaces.</p><p><strong>Originality</strong></p><p>We confirm that the research is our original work, and that all the assistance received and resources have been acknowledged, and we are responsible of its content and authenticity.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Received: 23 May 2024 </strong></p><p><strong>Accepted: 26 June 2024 </strong></p><p><strong>Published: 01 September 2024</strong></p> |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e9a08312166b4e958812a09fec61bb9e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2356-8518 2356-8569 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | Academy Publishing Center |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development |
| spelling | doaj-art-e9a08312166b4e958812a09fec61bb9e2025-08-20T03:28:54ZengAcademy Publishing CenterRenewable Energy and Sustainable Development2356-85182356-85692024-09-0110216118110.21622/resd.2024.10.2.876385Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeingAlaa Akmal Elghor0Zeinab Shafik1Atef Abdel-Moneim Ali2Mennat-Allah Elhusseiny3Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, EgyptDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, EgyptDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, EgyptDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt<p><strong>Purpose</strong></p><p>With the growing recognition of the significance of sustainable development and promoting good health and wellbeing, sustainable development and mental health are still newly integrated in the scientific literature. This research aims to highlight the potential of neuro-architecture, which is an interdisciplinary field that studies the relationship between the built environment, cognitive neuroscience and psychology, of enabling architects to gain more scientific-based studies to understand the biological and sensory effect of built environments on our brains for sustainable mental health.</p><p><strong>Design/ methodology</strong></p><p>This is a quantitative deductive experimental research adopting comparative neuroscientific approach to measure the impact of form of space boundaries on animal model where form of space boundaries is the only changed parameter and the only variable. This is attained by conducting behavioural assessment and biological tests. Data is analysed statistically using ANOVA & Dunkin.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Findings</strong></p><p>Behaviour assessment using the Y-Maze test demonstrated that mice housed in curvilinear space had strong working memory that indicates intact prefrontal cortical performance. Also, biological tests results showed a significant increase in formation of antioxidants in spaces with curvilinear boundaries. These findings promote that curvilinear forms not only have an aesthetic and psychological preference but also can have neurological enriching impact over a long period of time on brain health.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Practical implications</strong></p><p> This research sheds light on the multidisciplinary approach of architecture and urban design. The science-based method adopted clarifies that architects and urban designers can seek evidence using scientific tools and including scientific approaches in design decisions. Creating inspiring spaces which affect the users moods, health and well-being can be easily verified using experimentation. Thus, sustainable design is not limited to applying surficial strategies, but also can be included into actual evaluation based on biological variations. Thus, sustainable architecture and wellbeing can be proven scientifically to inform architects and designers regarding a revolutionary approach in designing spaces.</p><p><strong>Originality</strong></p><p>We confirm that the research is our original work, and that all the assistance received and resources have been acknowledged, and we are responsible of its content and authenticity.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Received: 23 May 2024 </strong></p><p><strong>Accepted: 26 June 2024 </strong></p><p><strong>Published: 01 September 2024</strong></p>http://apc.aast.edu/ojs/index.php/RESD/article/view/876comparative cognitive neuroscience, mental health, neuro-architecture, organic architecture, space boundaries, , spatial memory, sustainable architecture, oxidative stress. |
| spellingShingle | Alaa Akmal Elghor Zeinab Shafik Atef Abdel-Moneim Ali Mennat-Allah Elhusseiny Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development comparative cognitive neuroscience, mental health, neuro-architecture, organic architecture, space boundaries, , spatial memory, sustainable architecture, oxidative stress. |
| title | Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing |
| title_full | Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing |
| title_fullStr | Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing |
| title_short | Building for the mind a neuro-architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing |
| title_sort | building for the mind a neuro architectural approach of spatial experience for sustainable mental health and wellbeing |
| topic | comparative cognitive neuroscience, mental health, neuro-architecture, organic architecture, space boundaries, , spatial memory, sustainable architecture, oxidative stress. |
| url | http://apc.aast.edu/ojs/index.php/RESD/article/view/876 |
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