Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture

NewSchool of Architecture and Design is a participating member of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA). ANFA supports studies, workshops, and university-based educational programs designed to explore research that integrates neuroscience and architecture. It is the first—in fact, at the moment, the only—such institution in the world to link neuroscience, one of the newest frontiers of knowledge, with architecture, one of the oldest disciplines of human civilization. NSAD offers courses in Neuroscience for Architecture as part of its curriculum.

ANFA benefits from the enormous body of research that has evolved within the neuroscience community over the past two decades—and the promise of further advances in the coming century. Not since the contributions from the world of physics of the late 19th century (structural design methods, acoustic design formulas, lighting calculations, etc.) has science had so much to contribute to the profession of architecture.

Of course, it’s not simply architects who stand to benefit from this collaboration with neuroscience. Future generations of school children, hospital patients, office workers, and worshippers will have their environments more carefully tuned to their needs and desires.

Together, we’re working to develop and apply our newfound knowledge to increase our ability to better serve the society in which we live.