OK but what is Neuroaesthetics?

Neuroaesthetics is, simply put, the study of the impact of beauty on the brain. A term coined in the 1990’s by neuroscientist Semir Zeki, Neuroaesthetics is the convergence of Neuro- physiological (the brain), + aesthetics- beauty.

First, let’s look at our inherent requirement for beauty. Our need for aesthetics is encoded in our DNA. Throughout our millions of years of evolution, we have sought beauty through the lens of safety, nourishment + survival. Now we have the science to quantify the positive impact of beauty in the modern age – lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, and less stress + anxiety…to name a few.

As designers, we have always known the power that lies in improving our clients’ spaces. Our clients’ well-being is at the heart of every transformation.

Our brains are an archive of millions of years of information + evolution. While we spend most of our time now indoors, the majority of our history was spent in nature. We sought the safety of shelter with a clear view of our surroundings- this remains true today.

Things to consider:

• Placement of walls + furniture in a way that promotes safety + views.

• The impact of ceiling heights in intimate settings vs. public ones.

• Plan your seating thoughtfully. For restaurants + offices, place workstations + dining seats perpendicular to the main circulation path. Nobody wants tons of people walking behind them while they’re working or eating :).

The term Fractal was officially coined in 1975, to define a geometric shape that exists both at a small and large-scale within the same object. 

Fractals can be found everywhere + for good reason- they are the basic building blocks of nature. Compare your palm to a leaf, or our circulatory system to the branches of a tree. It’s no wonder that when thoughtfully implemented in the built environment, fractals have the ability to reduce stress, enhance creativity + improve cognitive function.

Things to consider:

• Apply wallcovering or soft surfaces (carpet, rugs) with geometric or nature-inspired fractal patterns.

• Use repetitive patterns in ceiling elements or window openings.

• Create intricate patterns in space dividers- between open meeting areas + cafe spaces or at home between living + bedroom areas.

Biophilia by definition is the rich, natural pleasure that comes from being surrounded by living organisms. According to Harvard naturalist Edward Wilson, biophilia is our “innate, biologically-driven need to interact with other forms of life such as animals and plants”.

If you’re human, you need nature-

Even if you don’t like it, you no doubt benefit from exposure to nature.

Biophilia has been a long-time buzzword in design + architecture. From green walls + indoor gardens (bearing fresh produce), to full-on enclosed tropical forests (live plants, humidity, misters, + bird sounds to boot), we have designed them all. The goal? To help employees + customers relax, reconnect + rejuvenate.

But the truth is, you don’t need that much to make an impact. While immersion is ideal, there are easy + subtle ways to introduce Biophilia while enjoying all the physical + mental health benefits.

Things to consider:

• The easiest way - PLANTS!

  Have a black thumb? It turns out fake plants have the same psychological health benefits as real ones. While they can’t purify the air, their fractal patterns + green color send the same messages to our brains. Obviously, real is ideal but with so many high-quality faux ones, you can try it out risk-free.

• Materials – implement natural woods + other natural materials such as cork + stone. Textures are also super important. We spend so much of our time engaging with smooth surfaces (phones, laptops, etc.) + it is shown that interacting with rough textures can help calm our mood + regulate our systems.

• Color- Look outside! Nature is all about contrasts - neutral + bold, dark + light, soft + hard. The key here is balance. If you prefer a neutral palette, introduce color in small accents. Subtle or bold- nature is nothing if not a study in duality.