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The Scan Issue #2
The Scan: An Architecture and Neuroscience Electronic Newsletter
Welcome to the second issue of The Scan: An Architecture and Neuroscience Electronic Newsletter. Many people have e-mailed to ask when the next issue would be coming out. We are very excited about your interest and want to stress that the newsletter will be published frequently, but not on a regular schedule.
All questions and comments should be directed to Margaret Tarampi (mtarampi@aia.org; 202-626-7342).
Thank you for your interest and continued support of our work.
Sincerely,
John P. Eberhard, FAIA
Latrobe Fellow College of Fellows
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The Scan: An Architecture and Neuroscience Electronic Newsletter
Issue 2: Fall 2003
The Brain Is Always On!
The Perception of Architectural Settings
A thought piece by John Eberhard after a conversation with Dr. Patricia Churchland, Chair of the Philosophy Department at UCSD.
The human brain is constantly recording, both consciously and sub-consciously, perceptions of the environment in which we are present at this moment in time. We are doing so with all of our sensory mechanisms, with associated memories (especially dispositions of places with close attributes to those of the place we are experiencing). Most of these perceptions bypass our conscious awareness, but many of them impact the homeostatic conditions of our body, our emotional state, and our sub-conscious memories.
Those perceptions of which we are aware enter into and surround our thought processes. So, if we are thinking about how much we miss being back home (while we are visiting a foreign city), and we see a building that resembles a favorite place in our home town, our attention will be tuned into the site of that building and our brain will be evaluating it in terms of how similar it is.
Neither the "tuning" of our attention to this perception nor the memories with which we are making the comparisons are couched in words or sentences. These "images" are not processed in the brain by the "mentalese" (our internal concept formations) that can be expressed in language. So, what is it? How are these images represented in the brain? In what way do the internal representations emulate the real world outside?
The perceptions we are having are also not likely to be limited to those processed in the visual cortex, but include links to aural perceptions (street sounds or people talking in the background), smells (i.e. food cooking, or flowers in bloom), proprioceptive positioning of our body (especially the head as it turns to look), and remote sensing of the "feel" of textures in the field of view.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
1. ‘Symposium on Neuroscience and Architecture’ held in Tacoma, Wash.
2. Screening of “Beyond Intuition” at the AAAS and a Workshop on Fundamental Neuroscience and Architecture at the Dana Center
3. "Experiencing Sacred Spaces" Workshop Planned for Spring 2004
4. Neuroarchitecture Presentation at AIAS FORUM
5. Acknowledgment of Our Newest Sponsors
Recent Publications
6. The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) website has been updated!
7. Recently Published Articles on Neuroscience and Architecture: July - December 2003
What You Can Do
8. Call for Submissions
9. Your Level of Involvement
10. Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Sponsorship
11. How to subscribe/unsubscribe from The Scan
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1. ‘Symposium on Neuroscience and Architecture’ held in Tacoma, Wash.
The AIA Southwest Washington Chapter welcomed John Eberhard, FAIA, as their featured speaker for an evening lecture on October 13 2003 at the Washington State History Museum. Eberhard gave “An Introduction to Neuroscience and Architecture,” which included screening the film “Beyond Intuition.” The next day, Eberhard and Giovanni Cizza, MD, PhD, of the National Institute of Mental Health, hosted a five hour “Symposium on Architecture, Design and Neuroscience and Stress and the Immune System,” in Tacoma, Washington.
Links:
AIA SW Washington Chapter
http://www.aiasww.org/
AIA SWW Symposium Flyer
http://www.aiasww.org/docs/October13-14%20Neuro%20Mtg.pdf
John Eberhard's Website
http://www.architecture-mind.com
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
http://www.neuroscienceforarchitecture.org
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2. Screening of “Beyond Intuition” at the AAAS and a Workshop on Fundamental Neuroscience and Architecture at the Dana Center in December 2003
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA), the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) —in cooperation with The American Institute of Architects—co-hosted a screening of the film, "Beyond Intuition,” on December 3 at the auditorium of the AAAS.
The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion with some of the people most engaged in exploring the intersection of neuroscience and architecture:
- John P. Eberhard, FAIA (The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture)
- Fred H. Gage, PhD (The Salk Institute)
- Alan I. Leshner, PhD (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
- Esther Sternberg, MD (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Alison Whitelaw, AIA (Platt/Whitelaw Architects).
The following day a workshop was held at the Dana Center on 15th Street in Washington D.C.
The twenty-three participants explored ideas and guidelines for four areas of importance to the Academy in formulating research projects intended to provide intellectual bridges between architecture and neuroscience:
- Establishing hypotheses appropriate to empirical experiments based on architectural intuitions and/or social and behavioral research observations;
- Proposing imaging techniques and other methods used by neuroscientists that could be used in conducting tests of hypotheses;
- Developing interdisciplinary graduate research programs between architecture and neuroscience;
- Determining where, when and what to do in organizing databases and publications resulting from research sponsored by the Academy.
A report of this workshop will be available on the Academy website early next year.
Links:
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
http://www.neuroscienceforarchitecture.org
The American Association for the Advancement of Science
http://www.aaas.org
The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
http://www.dana.org/about/dabi/
The Society for Neuroscience
http://www.sfn.org
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3. "Experiencing Sacred Spaces" Workshop Planned for Spring 2004
Columbus, Ind., may lack the ocean views of a Boston or San Francisco. It doesn’t have the jazz scene of New York City or the blues scene of Chicago. And it is not a center of power ala Washington, D.C. What Columbus does share with those five cities, though, is the AIA’s designation as one of the six most architecturally innovative cities in the country.
"Experiencing Sacred Spaces," a workshop into neuroscience and the architecture of spiritual environments is perfectly suited for this small, Midwestern town that is home to unique church settings (among a broad spectrum of environments) designed by such original architectural minds as Eero and Eliel Saarinen, Harry Weese, Gunnar Birkerts, and Dan Kiley.
The program for the three-day workshop (April 26-28, 2004) is still in the planning stage, but the intention is to focus—as was done at Neuroscience and Health Care Facilities Workshop at Woods Hole—on development of a research agenda that could use the tools of neuroscience to examine the impact of design features on people engaged by architectural settings that are, or are intended to be, sacred spaces.
The Columbus Area Visitors Center has assumed a key sponsorship role for the workshop. Executive Director Rene Campbell says, "Underlying the broad architectural significance of Columbus is the vision that has been in place for over 60 years that no matter what the specific setting —school, office building, government center, health facility, residence, garden, or church—it is the unique spiritual uplift that architecture can provide that is of fundamental importance." John Eberhard, FAIA, who will lead the workshop, adds, "Through these workshops we may soon be able to justify the vision of the forefathers of the Columbus architecture program by examining not only what produces that spiritual effect, but also why."
Additional sponsorship opportunities for the workshop and for the communications to be produced from it are still available. Please contact Diana Ingraham, diana.ingraham@usindependents.com, for more information. To learn more about the workshop itself, contact David Weiner, diweiner@earthlink.net
Links:
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
http://www.neuroscienceforarchitecture.org
Columbus Area Visitors Center
www.columbus.in.us
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4. Neuroarchitecture Presentation at AIAS FORUM
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) holds an annual convention (FORUM) that brings together 700-1,200 architecture students. The Academy has been invited to present a seminar on neuroarchitecture, which will include screening the film “Beyond Intuition” at this year’s FORUM and a presentation by Margaret Tarampi, Assoc. AIA. This venue is an appropriate means of instilling in emerging architects the importance of the intersection of neuroscience and architecture. FORUM 2003, Off the Beaten Path, is focused on alternative careers in architecture and will be held in Austin at the end of December.
Links:
The American Institute of Architecture Students
www.aiasnatl.org
2003 AIAS Forum: Off the Beaten Path
www.aiasnatl.org/forum
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5. Acknowledgment of Our Newest Sponsors
The Academy extends deep thanks to our new supporters, who include:
FOUNDING PATRONS:
The American Institute of Architects
The Steelcase Corporation
AIA College of Fellows
SUSTAINING DONORS:
Earl Walls Associates
Gordon H. Chong & Associates
SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDERS:
The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
The NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Platt/Whitelaw Architects
The Vinyl Institute
FRIENDS:
Ron Skaggs, FAIA
John Anderson, FAIA
Please refer to the ANFA Web site, www.neuroscienceforarchitecture.org, to find the benefits associated with each funding level. Please contact Diana Ingraham, diana.ingraham@usindependents.com, or mtarampi@aia.org">Margaret Tarampi, mtarampi@aia.org, for additional information regarding support of the Academy.
Links:
The American Institute of Architects
www.aia.org
Steelcase
http://www.steelcase.com
AIA College of Fellows Latrobe Fellow Website
http://www.latrobefellow.org/
Earl Walls Associates
www.ewalab.com/
Gordon H. Chong & Partners
www.ghcp.com
The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
http://www.dana.org/about/dabi/
The NewSchool of Architecture & Design
www.newschoolarch.edu/
Platt/Whitelaw Architects
www.plattwhitelaw.com/
The Vinyl Institute
http://www.vinylinfo.com
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6. The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) website has been updated!
Please visit the newly renovated neuroscienceforarchitecture.org Web site. It is now possible to access issues of The Scan and other related links under the “News” icon. Other additions include links to research reports, including Neuroscience and Health Care Facilities Workshop at Woods Hole, and up-to-date information on the events sponsored by the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture.
Links:
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
http://www.neuroscienceforarchitecture.org
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7. Recently Published Articles on Neuroscience and Architecture: July – December 2003
The following articles are the most recent coverage of our initiatives in the major publications.
Links:
A&E Perspectives
--“Science Studies how Architecture Affects the Brain” by John Eberhard
November 20, 2003
Architectural Record
-- “Designing for well-being: Environments that enhance the quality of life” by Jane Kolleeny
November 2003
The Center for Health Care Design
-- "$100,000 Grant to Fund Studies of Brain's Response to Environment"
Columns: The Magazine of AIA Pittsburgh
-- "Neuroscience and Architecture: From Alzheimer Care to Neonatal Units, the Design Environment is Critical" by Tracy Certo
September 2003
Dupont Laminated Glass News
--“Experiencing Architectural Interiors Inside Our Head” by John Eberhard
November 2003
The Gerontologist
--“Environmental Correlates to Behavioral Health Outcomes in Alzheimer’s Special Care Units” by John Zeisel, et. al.
2003
INTERIOR DESIGN Livewire
-- “Designs on the Brain” by Dave Platter
November 25 2003
IS desigNet
-- “How the Brain Perceives Architecture”
September 2003
Jugglezine: An Unassuming E-Zine about Balancing Work and Life
-- “The Cubicle Made Me Do It: How our environments help make us who we are” by Debra Wierenga
November 14 2003
National Public Radio: Science Friday
-- "Design and the Mind"
August 22 2003
Nature
-- "Do you want to work here?"
August 14 2003
Neuroscience Quarterly
-- “An Architect and a Neuroscientist Discuss How Neuroscience Can Influence Architectural Design”
Fall 2003
Neuroscience Quarterly
-- “New Academy Will Look at How Neuroscience Can Improve Architectural Environments”
Fall 2003
The New York Times
--“Exercise and Setting Ease Alzheimer’s Effects” by Anahad O’Connor
November 4 2003
Real Estate News
-- “Fellowship Awarded to the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture”
July 8 2003
San Diego Daily Transcript
-- “Merging two disciplines: Architecture and Neuroscience”
September 24, 2003
Scientific American
-- "Brain, Repair Yourself" by Fred H. Gage
September 2003
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8. Call for Submissions
Please take the opportunity to be a contributor to The Scan. This electronic newsletter is intended for frequent but irregular publication to a broad and diverse audience and we welcome short pieces that serve its mission to direct readers’ attention to activities, publications, and convening (we also encourage very brief essays) that promote research into the nexus of neuroscience and architecture. We regret that accepted submissions cannot be remunerated, but they will be fully attributed. Please send submissions to Margaret Tarampi, mtarampi@aia.org.
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9. Your Level of Involvement
Please let us know your level of interest in our work. If you did not fill out the form at the 2003 AIA National Convention please take a moment to send an email to Margaret Tarampi at mtarampi@aia.org. In the body of the email please note your interest in the following three choices:
1. I would like to be put on your email list to receive periodic updates or special announcements in the field of architecture and neuroscience. (If yes, indicate whether you prefer html or plain text.)
2. I would like to help organize a screening event in my school/AIA component/firm/organization using the video "Beyond Intuition."
3. I would like to become actively involved in helping launch the new Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture.
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10. Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Sponsorship-UPDATED!
The following sponsorship opportunities of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture are now available.
Friend of the Academy
A gift of $5,000+ or a pledge of $1,000+ per year for five years
Sustaining Donor of The Academy
A gift of $25,000+ or a pledge of $5,000+ per year for five years
Sponsor of The Academy
A gift of $50,000+ or a pledge of $10,000+ per year for five years
Founding Patron of The Academy
A gift of $100,000+ or a pledge of $20,000+ per year for five years
Leader of The Academy
A gift of $250,000+ or a pledge of $50,000+ per year for five years
Benefactor of The Academy
A gift of $500,000+ or a pledge of $100,000+ per year for five years
Named Sponsorship of Academy Public Events and Documentation
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture has applied for status as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. When such status is approved by the IRS, contributions to the Academy will be tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Links:
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
www.neuroscienceforarchitecture.org
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11. How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe from The Scan
You were sent this newsletter because of your previous involvement in workshops, seminars, or presentations of this work. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter please send an email to mtarampi@aia.org with "remove from The Scan" in the subject line. If you know someone who would like to be subscribed to this newsletter, please have them send an email to mtarampi@aia.org with "add to The Scan" in the subject line. Thank you.