Design for well-being: Neuroscience applied to interior design

Aspahan, Iasmim Ribeiro

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/59648

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Authors

Aspahan, Iasmim Ribeiro

Advisor(s)

Bernarda, João Nuno Gago

Martins, Fernando António Monteiro

Abstract(s)

This dissertation examines how neuroscientific evidence can inform interior-design practice to enhance health, well-being and cognitive performance. Drawing on a critical review of neuroscience, environmental psychology and phenomenology, the study first clarifies the multisensory nature of spatial perception and the role of memory, culture and emotion in shaping experience. It then traces the historical shift from function-centred architecture to a human-centred, evidence-based paradigm, detailing the emergence of neuroarchitecture as an interdisciplinary field. Through a critical review of research on colour, form, texture, materials, lighting, biophilia, scale and proportion, it synthesises empirical findings with phenomenological perspectives to generate design guidelines. Through interior design project examples, it is possible to illustrate the practical application of these guidelines, while emphasising that they are guiding principles, not prescriptive rules. The dissertation concludes that integrating neuroscientific evidence with phenomenological insight enables designers to move beyond aesthetics, actively supporting emotional health, psychological comfort and cognitive performance.