The Embodiment of Architectural Experience: A Methodological Perspective on Neuro-Architecture

Abstract

People spend a large portion of their time inside built environments. Research in neuro-architecture—the neural basis of human perception of and interaction with the surrounding architecture—promises to advance our understanding of the cognitive processes underlying this common human experience and also to inspire evidence-based architectural design principles. This article examines the current state of the field and offers a path for moving closer to fulfilling this promise. The paper is structured in three sections, beginning with an introduction to neuro-architecture, outlining its main objectives and giving an overview of experimental research in the field. Afterward, two methodological limitations attending current brain-imaging architectural research are discussed: the first concerns the limited focus of the research, which is often restricted to the aesthetic dimension of architectural experience; the second concerns practical limitations imposed by the typical experimental tools and methods, which often require participants to remain stationary and prevent naturalistic interaction with architectural surroundings. Next, we propose that the theoretical basis of ecological psychology provides a framework for addressing these limitations and motivates emphasizing the role of embodied exploration in architectural experience, which encompasses but is not limited to aesthetic contemplation. In this section, some basic concepts within ecological psychology and their convergences with architecture are described. Lastly, we introduce Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) as one emerging brain imaging approach with the potential to improve the ecological validity of neuro-architecture research. Accordingly, we suggest that combining theoretical and conceptual resources from ecological psychology with state-of-the-art neuroscience methods (Mobile Brain/Body Imaging) is a promising way to bring neuro-architecture closer to accomplishing its scientific and practical goals.

Affordances and curvature preference: The case of real objects and spaces

“…Such an outlook on human embodiment has also sometimes been called “enactivism,” holding that interactions with the world are decisive for human experience, cognitive performance, and behavioral decisions 25,26 . For instance, research under this framework has empirically demonstrated that motor reactions are central to the ways in which humans perceive the built environment, including its shapes and geometries 27–31 …”

“…25,26 For instance, research under this framework has empirically demonstrated that motor reactions are central to the ways in which humans perceive the built environment, including its shapes and geometries. [27][28][29][30][31] If the curvature-preference effect were to be consistently identified in research settings as rich and complex as the actual built environment, then it would suggest that such responses may indeed be universal. However, the studies evaluated by Chuquichambi and colleagues 1 show a strong reliance on viewing photographs or images in a detached fashion; and in the smaller number of studies that did have more robust affordances, this curvature-preference effect could not be found.…”

“…The embodied-based perspective argues that more realistic immersion and the associated affordances (ability to interact) are critical to the human experience of geometries in actual architecture. 27,31,32 It is, therefore, an intriguing possibility to consider that strong curvature preferences might be limited not only to visual preferences but specifically to preferences when viewing pictures.…”

“…However, the studies evaluated by Chuquichambi and colleagues 1 show a strong reliance on viewing photographs or images in a detached fashion; and in the smaller number of studies that did have more robust affordances, this curvature‐preference effect could not be found. The embodied‐based perspective argues that more realistic immersion and the associated affordances (ability to interact) are critical to the human experience of geometries in actual architecture 27,31,32 . It is, therefore, an intriguing possibility to consider that strong curvature preferences might be limited not only to visual preferences but specifically to preferences when viewing pictures .…”

Neuroarchitecture From the Perspective of Circadian Rhythm, Physical, and Mental Health

“…In addition, studies in system neuroscience and computational neuroscience, which have recently increased in number, have helped understand human sensory perception at the molecular and microcircuit levels [9][10][11][12]. An interesting new research methodology is Mobile Brain/ Body Imaging (MoBI), which records a moving person's brain activity and bodily sensations in real time [13,14]. MoBI has superior ecological validity compared to existing research methods, and since it is possible to see in real time how the brain and body react when a human is staying or moving in a specific space, it promises to be a highly useful method in the area of space and urban design.…”