Neuroarchitecture and neurodesign – how built environments affect the brain
Neuroarchitecture and neurodesign use neuroscience to understand how interiors, buildings, and cities shape stress, attention, learning, social interaction, and wellbeing. By analysing both existing environments and early-stage plans, the field shows how spatial qualities influence human responses and performance, from single rooms to whole urban areas.
This research-driven perspective is central to the emerging Brain Economy, where environments are recognised as key enablers for human capacity, creativity, and innovation. Supportive spaces strengthen focus, adaptability, and collaboration, while poor design increases stress, cognitive load, and social friction. Applying these insights early in planning creates long-term value for organisations and society.
RISE and University College London (UCL) lead the world’s first international centre for neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. We support organisations from insight to implementation, translating scientific findings into concrete design recommendations, prioritisation guidance, and practical improvements that enhance health, performance, and outcomes.
Discover how neuroarchitecture and neurodesign can elevate your project or organisation. Contact us to book a meeting.
We’ll support you every step of the way, from analysis through to design and follow-up
Brain Economy: Brain health at the heart of the cities of the future
Sweden's competitiveness is determined by capital and technology, but also by people's cognitive capacity. Within Brain Economy, our brain health is described as a critical raw material in the modern economy. Could this change how we build our cities?
Neuroarchitecture in urban environments
Neuro-Aware Journeys
Brain research aims to make the cities of the future better places to live
Can neurodesign improve our well-being and quality of life in our cities? Discover what researchers have to say about urban development based on neurodesign.
Nature-inspired architecture may reduce brain inflammation
Short-term stress can be beneficial, while chronic stress drives neuroinflammation. In a pilot study, researchers asked themselves: Can architecture reminiscent of nature reduce inflammation in the brain?
What are neuroarchitecture and neurodesign?
Neuroarchitecture and neurodesign are research-based design disciplines that promote health, performance and well-being in indoor environments, buildings and cities.
Neuroarchitecture and neurodesign is a new interdisciplinary field that integrates neuroscience with architecture and design to investigate how the built environment affects people psychologically and physiologically. The focus ranges from entire buildings and urban environments to how spatial layout, light, sound, materials and nature relate to cognition, emotions and behaviour.
Despite increased awareness of environment-related health, these insights are rarely reflected in how cities, buildings and indoor environments are planned and designed. Continuous exposure to living environments affects stress regulation, attention, learning, social interaction and perceived safety.
Neuroarchitecture and neurodesign analyse how indoor environments, buildings and urban spaces shape human responses, and focus on how spatial elements such as materials, lighting, colours, acoustics and layout affect health, performance and well-being – from early planning and construction, through all design phases.
Why use neuroarchitecture and neurodesign?
Neuroarchitecture and neurodesign are research-based approaches that can help living environments actively promote human health. Research demonstrates context-dependent benefits and outcomes, including:
- Reduced stress levels
- Improved accessibility, inclusion and perceived safety in urban environments
- Better cognitive performance and creative thinking in workplaces and schools
- Higher occupancy rates and user satisfaction in public spaces
- Faster recovery in hospitals, reduced need for pain relief and lower staff absenteeism
- Concrete initiatives linked to human, ecological and economic sustainability, as well as sustainability reporting
Would you like to know how neuroarchitecture and neurodesign can enhance your project or business?
We analyse your challenges and propose concrete improvements based on neuroscience. Contact us via the form to book a meeting.
Our scientific method
Our approach combines neuroscience, environmental psychology, spatial science and research into human experience to understand how the body and space interact and shape health, performance and well-being. Each project begins with a structured assessment of both the physical environment and the embodied experience within it. We establish a comprehensive baseline using a range of complementary tools and methods. Read more about our expertise and scientific approach.
Information for students
We appreciate your interest and aim to create a transparent process that benefits both students and our research.
How do we handle student enquiries?
- Master’s students: We do not have a dedicated Master’s programme in neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. Enquiries regarding dissertations or work placements are assessed on a case-by-case basis and prioritised according to relevance and available resources.
- Dissertations and work placements: We accept enquiries subject to capacity and relevance. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- PhD projects: PhD students with their own funding have a greater opportunity to participate in our projects.
- International collaborations: We welcome collaboration with universities and research environments globally, in line with RISE’s mission.
What do we expect from you?
- A clear description of your objective and how it relates to the field of neuroarchitecture and neurodesign.
- Your background, expertise and any funding.
- Proposals on how your work can contribute to our research or applications.
How do you proceed?
Send your enquiry via our contact form and include the above information. We will get back to you regarding opportunities for collaboration.