Architecture functionality has been taken to its most compartmentalized state. It has become so extremely specialized. Space is used every day for everything; shelter, storage, gathering, resting. These are just a few off of an infinitely long list. But space can do more than just passively contain

I asked: “Can space play a role in human physiology? Can a home be designed to boost cell regeneration? Strengthen neural connections and possibly offset neural diseases like dementia?” After a year of work, I found out that it can.

Endomorphin. The pleasure molecules. The brain releases these 2 chemicals that, aside from using feelings of pleasure to classically condition a person, they have effects on the way the body ages and heals.

One example is a study where an excess of these 2 neurotransmitters caused post-surgery patients to need less pain killers and also heal faster in the hospital. The excessive release of these chemicals was because of the room they were in. The space was triggering the chemical. I’ll talk about how later on.

So endomorphin classically conditions you to be in situations that potentially extend your life. These life-extending spaces don’t extend your life literally, they help you avoid danger.

1.       When you are in safe spaces your brain secretes endomorphin.

2.       When this happens you feel pleasure.

3.       Of course you’re going to come back to that space again. You felt great while you were there!

The scenarios that release this chemical are “longevity promoting” and can be broken down into social ones and primal ones.

The underlying principle of promoting longevity is “don’t die”. Being near water means you won’t die of thirst. Being on higher ground means you’ll see danger. Being around people means there’s always someone watching your back. These are all very “animalistic” but they are the root of how we react to space.

Lets recap: Space the promotes longevity triggers endomorphin in the brain. Endomorphin makes you feel good. So what do you do? Repeat things that make you feel good! It’s the brains way of making sure you live longer. Its why eating feels so good. Your brain makes you feel good when you do something that ensures it’s survival. So the result is living longer

But there is a side effect of excessive endomorphin release that I mentioned earlier. Those people in the hospital study? They physically healed faster and needed less pain meds. They were also reported to be a lot nicer to interact with. This drastic difference in post-op was because the room they were in had a view of trees and rolling hills. Endomorphin was being released

So the primal settings are spatial scenarios that we have evolved to be attracted to. The prospect and refuge is a threshold between a secluded, out of sight space and a wide, clear view of the surroundings. It is a spot that is most comfortable to dwell in because it is the safest. Our animal self is constantly looking out for us.

Ever wondered why we find vast landscapes beautiful? Being up high on a hill gives you an advantage over any animal that might consider attacking you. You can see any predator approaching and can escape. I know this is all starting to sound like a day in the life of a cave man, but these reactions to space are rooted so deeply in us that we still make choices based on them

The pleasure of hearing running water, or looking onto New York City, or laying in a field, is endomorphin being released. This list is a breakdown of the primal settings. Curiosity following a path? That’s the enticing setting. That moment of awe when you recognize uniformity in a city? That’s the townscape setting. The settings address perception on every scale

Next is the social settings. Like the primal settings, they ensure longevity. Unlike the primal settings they are not a reaction to what you are seeing. Instead they are a reaction to what the space implies and how it affects your day-to-day life. Broken down into 3, the social settings maintain a person’s relevance in a community, psychologically strengthening them

Ownership is the feeling you have over something you own. Simple. But because you feel ownership over something, a part of you nags you to maintain it. You want your car to always be clean. You want your house to be lit up. The appearance of the “owned” objects are a reflection of you. They are a way for you to interact with people indirectly. Create and identity for yourself. A positive sense of identity over a space or object releases endomorphin

The concept of neighborhood address belonging in a similar sense but plays a role in strengthening neural connections to offset things like dementia. Being exposed to the same spaces over and over again make an impression on the brain. When you anticipate a space from memory and are correct, you release endomorphin. When your expectation is wrong, your brain fixes the memory and still releases endomorphin. A memory is only as strong as the number of times it has been remembered

The final group of social settings is interaction. It addresses personal relationships with the people surrounding you. Types of interaction fall on a spectrum from direct interaction between neighbors that share an entrance to neighbors that only interact visually from their balconies. The act of interaction reinforces a sense of belonging and recognition. It is a comfort knowing that there are people around you

Interaction helps fight off feelingS of isolation and loneliness. Your brain releases endomorphin when you are around other people because being around other people keeps you safe. You are more likely to survive in the company of others than alone.

With these concepts I designed this building. The Catalyst. A catalyst is something that causes a reaction without being used up. This catalyst is a residential complex in downtown Washington DC designed to passively keep you healthy and potentially extend your able life. Matthias Hollwich calls this style of living “new aging”. I am sharing this with you today to maybe stir a desire to design differently

Architects are expected to design every building for every use imaginable. Architects design maternity wards, prisons, hotels, parks, pavilions, zoos, houses, offices. The problem is that a lot of design is not based on evidence. It is based on intuition. There is a lot that is being neglected. Today I urge you to start looking at the evidence related to the user of a building. For instance, almost all elderly-related injuries can be avoided if rooms are lit according to evidence collected on vision and how the eye gradually changes with age. That was just one example of how architecture overlooks the body’s natural decline

The evidence-based concepts that I have presented to you today are ways that design can, from one aspect, help life become less strained and less debilitated, allowing more time for the things that matter

If any of you would like more insight on some of the things I’ve mentioned today I high recommend these 2 books. The Origins of Architectural Pleasure discusses what I’ve called the primal settings and where they exist in architecture. The Architect’s Brain is an investigation of the connection between neuroscience, perception and architecture. If you’d like to read my research on architecture, endomorphin, social settings and health, feel free to ask me