Walking through architectural spaces: The impact of interior forms on human brain dynamics

Banaei, M; Hatami, J; Yazdanfar, A; Gramann, K

Walking through architectural spaces: The impact of interior forms on human brain dynamics

Banaei, M Hatami, J Yazdanfar, A Gramann, K

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2017, 11
Issue Date:: 2017-09-27

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Banaei, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hatami, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Yazdanfar, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Gramann, K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2673-1832	en_US
dc.date.available	2017-09-12	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-09-27	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2017, 11	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/127200
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Banaei, Hatami, Yazdanfar and Gramann. Neuroarchitecture uses neuroscientific tools to better understand architectural design and its impact on human perception and subjective experience. The form or shape of the built environment is fundamental to architectural design, but not many studies have shown the impact of different forms on the inhabitants’ emotions. This study investigated the neurophysiological correlates of different interior forms on the perceivers’ affective state and the accompanying brain activity. To understand the impact of naturalistic three-dimensional (3D) architectural forms, it is essential to perceive forms from different perspectives. We computed clusters of form features extracted from pictures of residential interiors and constructed exemplary 3D room models based on and representing different formal clusters. To investigate human brain activity during 3D perception of architectural spaces, we used a mobile brain/body imaging (MoBI) approach recording the electroencephalogram (EEG) of participants while they naturally walk through different interior forms in virtual reality (VR). The results revealed a strong impact of curvature geometries on activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Theta band activity in ACC correlated with specific feature types (rs (14) = 0.525, ρ = 0.037) and geometry (rs (14) = –0.579, ρ = 0.019), providing evidence for a role of this structure in processing architectural features beyond their emotional impact. The posterior cingulate cortex and the occipital lobe were involved in the perception of different room perspectives during the stroll through the rooms. This study sheds new light on the use of mobile EEG and VR in architectural studies and provides the opportunity to study human brain dynamics in participants that actively explore and realistically experience architectural spaces.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Human Neuroscience	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3389/fnhum.2017.00477	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Experimental Psychology	en_US
dc.title	Walking through architectural spaces: The impact of interior forms on human brain dynamics	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	11	en_US
utslib.for	1701 Psychology	en_US
utslib.for	1702 Cognitive Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1109 Neurosciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Computer Science
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	11	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Banaei, Hatami, Yazdanfar and Gramann. Neuroarchitecture uses neuroscientific tools to better understand architectural design and its impact on human perception and subjective experience. The form or shape of the built environment is fundamental to architectural design, but not many studies have shown the impact of different forms on the inhabitants’ emotions. This study investigated the neurophysiological correlates of different interior forms on the perceivers’ affective state and the accompanying brain activity. To understand the impact of naturalistic three-dimensional (3D) architectural forms, it is essential to perceive forms from different perspectives. We computed clusters of form features extracted from pictures of residential interiors and constructed exemplary 3D room models based on and representing different formal clusters. To investigate human brain activity during 3D perception of architectural spaces, we used a mobile brain/body imaging (MoBI) approach recording the electroencephalogram (EEG) of participants while they naturally walk through different interior forms in virtual reality (VR). The results revealed a strong impact of curvature geometries on activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Theta band activity in ACC correlated with specific feature types (rs (14) = 0.525, ρ = 0.037) and geometry (rs (14) = –0.579, ρ = 0.019), providing evidence for a role of this structure in processing architectural features beyond their emotional impact. The posterior cingulate cortex and the occipital lobe were involved in the perception of different room perspectives during the stroll through the rooms. This study sheds new light on the use of mobile EEG and VR in architectural studies and provides the opportunity to study human brain dynamics in participants that actively explore and realistically experience architectural spaces.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/127200