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The Scan Issue #3
The Scan: An Architecture and Neuroscience Electronic Newsletter
Welcome to the third issue of The Scan . It's been an exciting year for the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA), with a recent workshop and another coming up later this year. The Academy continues to work with UCSD, the Salk Institute, and our other important partners to better understand the relationship between neuroscience and architecture and to build bridges between professionals in those fields. The Scan will continue to provide information about the activities of the Academy and the new field of neuroarchitecture.
All questions and comments should be directed to the administrator ( office@anfarch.org ) or by phone at (619) 235-0221. Thank you for your interest and continued support of our work.
Sincerely,
John P. Eberhard, FAIA Latrobe Fellow College of Fellows 2003-2005
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The Scan: An Architecture and Neuroscience Electronic Newsletter
Issue 3: Spring 2005
The Brain is Always On!
The Brain's Perception of Space At the level of architectural experiences, or more specifically the human response to places, it is clear that "space matters". The attributes of space ranging from shapes, to color, thermal conditions, light (both natural and artificial), and sound are perceived by our sensory systems, processed through the thalamus and midbrain, and sent to the cortex to be recognized in a conscious way. All of this is done in microseconds.
The architect Frank Pitts has said, "If we truly knew what happens in the brain when humans experience space, and if we knew why they have these experiences, then we would be able (as architects) to approach design with a much deeper knowledge base, be creative at a another level, design something that really sings. Now, we make too many mistakes."
- John P. Eberhard, FAIA
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
1. John Eberhard to present an "Update on Neuroscience and Architecture": at the AIA Convention in Las Vegas, May 19, 2005.
2. Experiencing Sacred Spaces: A Workshop on Neuroscience and Spiritual Architecture
3. Neuroscience and Healthcare Facilities Workshop II
4. Acknowledgement of our Newest Sponsors
5. The ANFA Pioneer Program
RECENT PUBLICATIONS/NEWS
6. ANFA Website updated
7. John Eberhard wins AIA Chapter Award 2004
INVOLVEMENT
8. Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Sponsorship
9. How to subscribe/unsubscribe from The Scan
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1. "Update on Neuroscience and Architecture Seminar at 2005 AIA National Convention in Las Vegas
At the American Institute of Architects National Convention in Las Vegas, on Thursday, May 19, 2005 from 1:30-3:00 PM John Eberhard will give an update on the neuroscience and architecture initiative. He will show a film and provide a power point lecture on his “white paper” that he has written for the architecture profession as the result of his two years as the Latrobe Fellow of the AIA College of Fellows. He will be introduced by Syl Damianos, FAIA, past president of AIA National, and previous Chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows, who was instrumental in recruiting John to begin his studies of neuroscience in 1995.
Links: The American Institute of Architects
2005 AIA National Convention – Las Vegas
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2. Experiencing Sacred Spaces: A Workshop on Neuroscience and Spiritual Architecture .
In April of 2004, ANFA held a workshop in Columbus, Indiana on the interface of architecture of sacred spaces and neuroscience.
The workshop considered how neuroscience might begin to explore the response to spiritual spaces experienced in multiple cultures throughout the world.
"How does the web of consciousness spread across our existence, experienced by so many people with so many concepts of the divine, indicate that they are present in a sacred place? How can we measure this experience? (John Eberhard, FAIA)
Neuroscience does not have all of the answers, but has matured to the point where we will be able to begin to ask the right questions and perform meaningful experiments.
"The events of this workshop will one day have far reaching effects on our …understanding, and our ability to achieve the power of architecture to elevate and enrich the human experience" (Norman Koonce, FAIA)
The full report of the workshop is available for download on the ANFA website: www.anfarch.org
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3. Neuroscience and Healthcare Facilities: Second Annual Woods Hole Workshop at the National Academy of Sciences
In August of 2004, ANFA hosted the 2nd annual Woods Hole workshop, co-sponsored by the Vinyl Institute and the AIA. Architects, neuroscientists, and health care professionals participated in the three-day workshop. A summary of the findings can be found in the 'Publications' section of the 'Activities' page on the ANFA webpage. www.anfarch.org
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4. Newest sponsors
We would like to acknowledge the following new sponsors of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture:
The Smith Group
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5. The Pioneer Program
ANFA has established a new program for professionals interested in bridging the fields of neuroscience and architecture. In this program individuals in the field of architecture are placed in a neuroscience lab, or conversely neuroscientists study architecture in the university setting or in an architecture firm. There are currently six Pioneers: Meredith Banasiak, Dr. Eve Edelstein, Kate Meairs, Ilya Monosov, Dr. Upali Nanda, and Margaret Tarampi. More information on the Pioneer program can be found in the ‘People’ section of the ANFA website.
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6. The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) website has been updated!
The new ANFA web address is: www.ANFArch.org. Please update your bookmarks. A lot of the content on the website has been updated with information on new staff and sponsors. Please check back regularly for updates on events and publications.
Links:
The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
www.ANFArch.org
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7. John Eberhard, FAIA wins AIA Chapter Award
In December of 2004, at the Arts and Crafts-inspired Lodge at Torrey Pines, the San Diego chapter of the AIA met to bestow awards on a number of individuals in the community who have contributed to architecture. John Eberhard, FAIA, was presented with an award for architecture education, specifically for, “…his leadership on the approach to proving what we feel—
the scientific basis for the importance of design on our mental and physical well-being.”
Link: AIA San Diego Chapter
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8. Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Sponsorship
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 is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the Academy are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
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9. How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe from The Scan
You were sent this newsletter because you subscribed on the ANFA website or because of your previous involvement in workshops, seminars, or presentations of this work. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter or if you know someone who would like to be subscribed to this newsletter, please visit the ANFA website under “Involvement” > “Subscribe.” Directions to subscribe and unsubscribe are outlined there. Thank you.