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Isabelle Sjövall
Brain Researcher Director, NeuroArchitecture and NeuroDesign
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Neurodesign and Neuroarchitecture Index measures spaces' health impact
A groundbreaking index in the emerging field of neurodesign and neuroarchitecture could transform the way we plan and invest in our cities, schools, and workplaces. Drawing on brain science and AI, researchers can now measure how physical environments influence our health, cognition, and overall wellbeing – with the ambition to set a new global standard for the built environments of tomorrow.
– Vi vet att den omgivande miljön har stor påverkan på människors livskvalitet och mentala hälsa. Problemet har varit att det saknats metoder för att mäta dessa effekter på ett tillförlitligt sätt, säger Isabelle Sjövall, neurodesigner och hjärnforskare samt vetenskaplig ledare för neurodesign och kognitiv innovation hos RISE.
The NeuroDesign/NeuroArchitecure Index (NDIX) är ett forskningsbaserat verktyg som gör det möjligt att utvärdera hur olika typer av miljöer påverkar människan – från skolor och kontor till sjukhus och hela städer. Indexet bygger på neurovetenskaplig och psykologisk forskning och tar hänsyn till faktorer som påverkar hjärnan, såsom ljus, ljud, färg, form och temperatur.
Want to know how neuroarchitecture and neurodesign can strengthen your project or your business?
We aim to help companies, municipalities, communities, and organizations make smarter investment decisions in the built environment.
Health check-up for environments
–Think of the index as a health check-up for environments. We start with a baseline analysis to identify how different elements impact performance, wellbeing, and mental recovery. For instance, a higher index score could translate into calmer students who learn more effectively in a school setting,” Isabelle explains.
As mental health challenges and urbanization continue to rise, interest in neurodesign and neuroarchitecture – an interdisciplinary field bridging brain science, architecture, and design – has grown rapidly. NDIX offers a practical way to turn this research into action and create measurable improvements.
“We aim to help companies, municipalities, communities, and organizations make smarter investment decisions in the built environment. Today, vast sums are poured into urban development projects without knowing how they actually affect the people who use them, says Isabelle.
The NeuroDesign/NeuroArchitecure Index (NDIX)
The methodology employs advanced techniques such as functional MRI (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), as well as biomarkers like heart rate variability (HRV) and breathing rate to map how the brain and body respond to different environments.
– We validate our findings with lab-based brain imaging techniques to ensure they truly capture how environments affect us on a deeper level, Isabelle notes.
New world standard for designing environments
The long-term goal is to establish a new world standard for designing environments more consciously, in a way that that actively support mental and physical health. NDIX has the potential to improve quality of life, boost productivity and lower societal costs.
– We hope that this becomes a new benchmark in sustainable urban development – where insights from neuroscience are integrated from the very start of the planning process, says Isabelle Sjövall.
The research is conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Brain Sciences, Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience at University College London (UCL) and RISE, through the International Center for Neuroarchitecture and Neurodesign. Pilot projects are already underway in Stockholm and London, ranging from green infrastructure to healthcare, education, and workplace design.
How the NeuroDesign/NeuroArchitecture Index (NDIX) works
The process begins with a needs assessment: should the space promote focus, creativity, learning, healing, or a sense of safety? Next, researchers analyze how the cumulative effect of the environment influences the brain and body through factors such as light, sound, color, scent, and temperature. These effects are measured using brain imaging technologies, biomarkers, and prediction models. Based on the results, targeted design adjustments are made. The index has the potential to optimize a wide range of environments – from schools and offices to hospitals. In healthcare settings, for example, a high index score could result in a reduced need for pain medication and shorter recovery times.
Would you like to learn more about neuroarchitecture and neurodesign – and how your organization can benefit from it? Get in touch with us.
