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Read today in an AIA (American Institute of Architects) publication that the AIA has established an Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture to research what exaxctly makes buildings delightful for their occupants.
Some quotes from the articles:
Dopamine sound familiar? It's the stuff that Ecstasy causes your brain to release.
The only question now is, will computer programmers get there first?
Some quotes from the articles:
Making Vitruvius measurable
So, where to begin in describing the potential we see? Often highly complex new information can offer very simple insights into very old questions. Vitruvius suggested that architecture was based on three principles: commodity, firmness, and delight. This third measure represents the positive experiences humans can have in their built environments.
Is it possible to measure delight? Neuroscientists have learned that almost all positive feelings are reflected by a higher level of activity by the neurotransmitter dopamine. These neurotransmitters affect most areas of the brain. When they are released by the brain—an occurrence that can be measured—the result is a feeling of well-being and delight. Vitruvius meets neuroscience, suggesting a common objective—delight by promoting a higher level of activity by the dopamine neurotransmitter.
So, where to begin in describing the potential we see? Often highly complex new information can offer very simple insights into very old questions. Vitruvius suggested that architecture was based on three principles: commodity, firmness, and delight. This third measure represents the positive experiences humans can have in their built environments.
Is it possible to measure delight? Neuroscientists have learned that almost all positive feelings are reflected by a higher level of activity by the neurotransmitter dopamine. These neurotransmitters affect most areas of the brain. When they are released by the brain—an occurrence that can be measured—the result is a feeling of well-being and delight. Vitruvius meets neuroscience, suggesting a common objective—delight by promoting a higher level of activity by the dopamine neurotransmitter.
Twelve years ago, frustrated over the meager press coverage of architecture, I was informed by a CBS News
executive that architecture seldom becomes newsworthy
except when it fails. I asked, What if we told you that an
individual’s longevity, health, and productivity were directly
proportional to the quality of the architecture they consistently
experienced? You can’t say that, he shot back. I know, but what if we could, I responded.Without hesitation he replied, when you can, let me be the first to know.
Twelve years later, we may be getting closer to making that call.
executive that architecture seldom becomes newsworthy
except when it fails. I asked, What if we told you that an
individual’s longevity, health, and productivity were directly
proportional to the quality of the architecture they consistently
experienced? You can’t say that, he shot back. I know, but what if we could, I responded.Without hesitation he replied, when you can, let me be the first to know.
Twelve years later, we may be getting closer to making that call.
Smiley 
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