2023-10-28 04:50:00
The use of natural materials, managing sunlight and incorporating plants are key elements in neuro interior design (Getty)
We are the space we inhabit and that environment in which we spend our hours shapes and permeates our mental health. The pandemic has left us countless lessons and architecture is no stranger to the before and following marked by the health emergency that paralyzed the world. Among many things, we learned that that space we call home, where we live and sleep, is one of the cornerstones of our emotional well-being.
Neuroscience had already focused on the role of the design of interior spaces in the development of positive thinking and creativity, and the pandemic only catalyzed and enhanced this research. In this field, the United States Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture is one of the institutions that is at the forefront of neuroarchitecture and neurointerior design studies.
“The design of a space can help us relax or support a creative state of mind, each aspect of the environment influences certain brain processes, linked to stress, emotion and memory,” defines neuroscientist Eve Edelstein, who developed the first neuroscience courses for architecture at the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego, USA.
The delimitation of spaces with specific functions is essential for a healthy environment (Pexels)
To delve into these concepts that link decoration and its impact on mental health, Infobae spoke with architect María Fernanda Vilanova and interior designer Malena Eirin, pioneers of neuro interior design in Argentina.
“Your house is a reflection of who you are. It is proven by science that when a person is in spaces that promote their well-being, they generate more oxytocin and serotonin, so they feel fuller and have better energy. And neuro interiorism seeks to enhance that well-being through different resources and tools,” says Eirin.
“The first step is to listen to others,” says Vilanova, “to evaluate what we can contribute to their well-being through design, which consists not only of choosing an armchair that matches the table or rug, – although this is an important issue – What we are looking for is that the person identifies, that they love the space and do not want to leave because they feel very good living there.”
“Our home must be the case of life, to enhance happiness,” the two specialists agree, paraphrasing Le Corbusier, one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.
Architect María Fernanda Vilanova and interior designer Malena Eirin detailed to Infobae what neuro interior design is regarding, which guides decoration to promote emotional well-being (Adrián Escándar)
Neurointeriorism is a discipline that covers a very wide range of tools, perhaps one of the best known is mindfulness, a philosophical practice that fundamentally consists of the development of full and conscious attention in the present, living and being (inhabiting) in the here and now.
“Sometimes, due to the routine of life and the whirlwind in which we live, one does not question things like why I have a painting in my living room for 15 years if I no longer like it. “Mindfulness,” says Eirin, “is making things conscious, investigating what you need, because there is no single or standardized recipe for everyone, but rather each person has to do self-knowledge work that takes time.”
Natural fibers and materials connect us with nature and promote calm (@diariodebienestar)
The textures and nobility of the materials, both for furniture, decoration and lighting, are a key aspect of neuro interior design. “Natural is a factor that helps connect with the senses, wood, pure cotton, ceramics, everything that comes from nature makes one ‘come down’ to earth,” emphasizes Vilanova.
The idea is to aim for a framework in the decoration that balances design, well-being and functionality. In this search, neuro interior design prioritizes sensory design that activates and deploys all the senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing, etc.
“Synthetic materials repel, so the more natural the texture of the fabrics to the touch, the greater the well-being,” adds Eirin. The key is to inhabit orderly spaces, not pristine but in harmony. With this objective, when planning the design, reserving storage places for each object is an essential resource.
Neuro internalism uses resources and tools to promote well-being in everyday environments. In this way, maximizing the use of sunlight from outside is essential (Pexels)
Architecture can influence our wakefulness or fatigue by managing exposure to natural light during the day and night. The sun is the gold standard of what the body seeks and, as much as possible, we should imitate that type of pattern in our home and work environment, as defined by neuroscientist Edelstein.
In that same sense, Eirin points out that what neuro interiorism seeks is to “control light to respect the rhythm of our body – which is the circadian rhythm – so that we can generate melatonin and make the most of the hours of rest.”
This means not exposing yourself all day to artificial light that interrupts the sleep-wake cycle of our circadian rhythm. Ideally, the lights in the rooms decrease in intensity as the sun goes down, for example.
Delimiting spaces, finding their meaning and functionality aims to rethink the places we inhabit (@puertasadentro.ok)
Placing natural plants with different shades of green in different areas of the house is a key resource to evoke nature in urban spaces.
To relax and restore energy, it is essential to incorporate a lot of green in the environments. Both to purify the air and to enhance creativity. “Human beings were not born to be confined, they were born to be outdoors. Grounding, the therapy that connects us with the Earth, recharges us with energy. It is proven that being barefoot and stepping on the grass reduces inflammation and is associated with a slower aging process. It has a lot of benefits,” details Eirin, who, in addition to being an interior designer, is also a mindfulness instructor, is training as an ontological coach and participates in conscious breathing workshops.
For her part, Vilanova recommends adding plants to all spaces because “incorporating nature has an enormous impact on well-being.”
The incorporation of plants helps to evoke nature in urban spaces and improves well-being (Pexels)
“The house is the place where we spend most of the day, where we are with our affections, we recharge energy – says Eirin – that is why there has to be a space that enables rest, and also another for concentration, creation or productivity. , but at the same time they must be delimited.”
Regarding the location, the spaces must be organized to match the function that the homeowner wants to give to each room. For example, if you want an area to be inspiring and relaxing, you should move away from technology or work spaces.
“It can be a studio apartment or a mansion, the important thing is to find meaning in each place. It is regarding revealing and finding the space for each member of the family, each one with their needs, and obviously listening to the person seeking advice, knowing what they like, what expectations they have, it is vital to get to know the client to understand how they live. their space,” highlights Vilanova.
Natural fibers, preferably in light tones, are other allies when it comes to generating harmony and a feeling of space (Pexels)
Light tones provide greater harmony, giving a feeling of spaciousness and order. The idea of neuro interior design is to find what color is needed in each space to enhance creativity, concentration or rest.
Selecting neutral or soft colors, such as light gray, beige, and pale greens or blues instead of the omnipresent white, is another alternative to give serenity to the space and turn it into an environment that wards off stress and anxiety.
However, specialists insist that, when designing a space, it is essential to listen to whoever lives there, “some people prefer power or vibrant colors in their bedrooms, others look for a color palette that encourages rest and relaxation.”
Vilanova and Eirin explain how neuroscience is applied to interior design to boost certain brain processes (Adría Escandar)
They both agree that the house-museum concept should be avoided, which consists of having spaces reserved for occasional moments and that, ultimately, end up being used little or not at all.
“The house is for living and is defined according to the stages of life, it has to do with the ages of the children, with how each family enjoys the spaces. It is no longer like before, when it might be fashionable to have a separate living or dining room for visitors – says Vilanova – following the pandemic, interior spaces were revalued, we were locked up for so long that we revalued our experience.
In addition to all these recommendations for a home, both Eirin and Vilanova agree that these concepts are applicable not only to homes, but also to work environments.
“In companies, neuro interior design has an impact that translates into results,” says Eirin, “in a company with environments that promote harmony through the incorporation of nature, with good natural light and rest spaces; well-being of the work teams.” And the neuro architecture in stores or stores also communicates what a brand wants to express, the image it offers to its customers, adds Vilanova.
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