In 'Cognitive Architecture', Ann Sussman explores the profound impact of human biology on our perception and experience of built environments. Drawing from neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and psychology, the book reveals how our brains and bodies are wired to respond to specific spatial configurations and designs. It examines how elements like light, color, shape, and spatial arrangement influence our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. The book challenges traditional architectural approaches by advocating for evidence-based design that considers the innate human responses to the built world. By understanding these biological underpinnings, architects and urban planners can create spaces that enhance human comfort, productivity, and social interaction. Sussman's work provides a compelling argument for integrating cognitive science into the design process, fostering environments that truly resonate with our human nature.
“Urban Experience & Design” explores the intersection of urban planning and human sensory and emotional experiences. Co-authored by Ann Sussman and Justin B. Hollander, the book emphasizes the importance of understanding how people perceive and interact with urban environments. It delves into the impact of sensory stimuli such as light, sound, and spatial arrangement on human behavior and well-being. By examining various case studies and design strategies, the book provides insights into creating more livable, engaging, and inclusive public realms. Sussman and Hollander advocate for a human-centered approach to urban design that considers the diverse needs and preferences of urban dwellers. This book serves as a valuable resource for urban planners, architects, and designers seeking to enhance the quality of urban life through thoughtful and evidence-based design practices.
Based on the context, 'The Age of Insight' likely explores the convergence of neuroscience, psychology, and art to understand human consciousness and behavior. Written by Eric Kandel, a renowned neuroscientist, the book probably delves into how our brains process information and create subjective experiences. It may examine how insights from neuroscience can illuminate our understanding of art and creativity, as well as provide new perspectives on mental disorders and emotional well-being. Kandel likely emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in unraveling the complexities of the human mind. Through a combination of scientific research and artistic analysis, the book likely offers readers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between our brains, our minds, and our creative endeavors.
What if the key to designing better cities wasn’t just in concrete, code, or cost, but in understanding how our brains actually work?
In this episode, I talk with Ann Sussman and Kelsey Bradley of the Human Architecture and Planning Institute (HAPI) about a subject that’s as profound as it is underdiscussed: how our unconscious biology reacts to the built environment – and how that should change everything about how we design.
Ann, architect and author of Cognitive Architecture and Kelsey, founder of Design Cause Inc., now Executive Director at HAPI, walk us through the neuroscience of placemaking. We talk eye tracking. Skin conductivity. Heart rate variability. And how our “Stone Age brains” are still calibrated for the Savannah, even when we’re stuck in a strip mall.
This episode will validate what many of us feel but can’t quite explain why some places energize us, and others quietly drain us. The answers aren’t just aesthetic. They’re evolutionary.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Car-Free City: Oslo's Urban Transformation
03:43 Human Architecture: Merging Biology and Design
08:03 Understanding Human Experience: The Emotional Brain
11:24 The Impact of Environment on Human Behavior
18:37 The Influence of Modernism on Architecture
23:28 The Threatening Nature of Suburban Design
26:47 Measuring Human Responses: Biometrics in Architecture
31:25 The Science of Emotions in Design
33:52 The Power of Empathy in Leadership
36:57 Designing for Human Flourishing
40:07 The Impact of Built Environments on Mental Health
45:35 Understanding Human Perception in Urban Design
49:13 The Need for Beautiful and Functional Spaces
53:00 The Future of Urban Planning and Community Well-being
MENTIONED RESOURCES
Book: Cognitive Architecture: Designing for how we respond to the built environment
Book: Urban Experience & Design
https://thehapi.org/
Free course on "The Genetics of Design" – HAPI.org Courses
Design Cause Inc. – Kelsey’s nonprofit building schools in Africa
CONNECT WITH ANN SUSSMAN
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-sussman-a1a34a14/
X: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-sussman-a1a34a14/
Ann’s Blog: https://annsussman.com/
The Genetics of Design: https://geneticsofdesign.com/about
CONNECT WITH KELSEY BRADLEY
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseybradley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseydeebradley/
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Newsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/
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