Understanding Beauty in Architecture: Guiding Neuroaesthetics
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Can we define what makes a beautiful space? Well, the study of neuroaesthetics is trying to uncover qualities that come together to yield beauty. In the magazine SEED, the article entitled Beauty and the Brain explains that “An object’s beauty may not be universal, but the neural basis for appreciating beauty probably is.” The article goes on to describe how neuroscience findings regarding direction, location and dimensions of space will have profound implications for architecture.(1)
As architects engage in their design process, will the discoveries of neuroaesthetics impact their project outcomes? In other words, will knowing what triggers more neurons to fire rapidly impact design decisions at the drawing board? Yes, beauty is dependent to some extent on culture and experience; but can beauty be universally understood at some level?
Aesthetic, in architecture, is often linked with order and balance. Rhythm, for instance, is frequently desired within striking architectural compositions. So, is architecture nothing more than the manipulation of space to follow certain rules of beauty? Can architecture break or challenge such rules that are directly connected to the human senses?
When the human nervous system experiences beauty, certain parts of the brain consistently light up. It seems that, to some extent, humans can be taught what beauty means. Again, culture and experience may have a significant role. Yet, there are thought to be certain qualities that are constantly found regardless of culture or experience. These qualities, according to Beauty and Brain are grids, zigzags, spirals and curves. Such findings indicate that on some level, beauty may be universal.(1)
As architects, we strive to create beautiful forms and spaces that inspire humans within. It is often said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”; however, there are a collection of architectural spaces that never fail to stir occupants deeply. Like many designers, architects must follow rules and consciously bend them. To advance as a profession, it is important to learn from the discoveries of neuroaesthetics; but it is equally important to challenge them. Architects should not feel limited by such findings, but rather they should feel freed to learn why occupants respond the way they do — to certain arrangements of space.
Currently, we are increasing understanding of how the human brain works. Isn’t it appealing to unleash what makes good architecture according to our senses? Yes, it may be difficult to conclusively define “beauty” once and for all. For instance, as architects don’t we usually link function to aesthetic? I wonder…Is function inherent to beauty?
It seems to me that the experience of beauty is fundamental to what makes us all human. We may find beauty in different things at different times; however, the joy found in surrounding architectural space and form is universal. As spatial compositions continue to evolve, so too will our understanding of the meaning behind beauty.
(1) Costandi, Motheb. Beauty and the Brain. SEED Magazine. September 16, 2008.
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Wow, this is so interesting to me! Would you happen to have links to anything that you mentioned in the above article, or in relation to such? I would really appreciate any more information that you have, for example, do you know what areas of the brain are triggered? Has anyone done any MRI imaging/mapping? What specific locations or buildings are you referring to that spark universal beauty? Do you know of anything that has been built in the last 20 years that supports this idea?
Sorry to bombard you with questions…Thanks for any help you can offer me!
Rachel,
1) I found a link to the Seed Magazine article Beauty and the Brain mentionied in this Sensing Architecture post. I think you will find a lot of good information there.
2) At one point I heard that the Academy for Neuroscience for Architecture was conducting research involving fMRI studies in relation to specific architectural qualities and features.
3) The article Beauty and the Brain, described above, presents some interesting hints about what composes universal beauty in architecture. I think I could write forever about how universal beauty may be found within specific architectural works; plus, research is currently underway to better understand the neuroaesthetic side to such research questions. One approach is to flash specific architectural features in front of research test subjects to study which parts of the brain (if any) “light up”. At the moment, I do believe such studies are still preliminary as there is much to uncover regarding what makes architecture and its features truly and universally beautiful.
4) I think if you look around there are architectural elements that approach qualities that are universally beautiful in many places. It’s the expression of such elements that make it interesting — as well as up for debate. Perhaps another approach to your question is to look at the body of work by a leading architect like Lois Kahn. Does his body of work exhibit elements, features and compositions that approach universal beauty? … I think they might; but I guess in order to have that neuroaesthetic support to this argument — more fMRI studies need to be done.