Neuroscience And Architecture: Brain Waves Within Different Architectural Spaces, An Experimental Study

Mohamed Abdelbary Wafa Mowafy; Lamiaa Gamal Elrashidy

doi:10.29284/4j7q5h90

Authors

Mohamed Abdelbary Wafa Mowafy Assistant professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University
Lamiaa Gamal Elrashidy Assistant professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Education for Early Childhood, Alexandria University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29284/4j7q5h90

Keywords:

Architectural spaces, Brain waves, Built environment, Form impact, Neuroarchitecture.

Abstract

This research used brain wave powers and ratios to measure the electroencephalography (EEG) responses of students exposed to different architectural spaces. EEG indicators were used to determine changes before and after stimulation. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of certain proportions of architectural spaces on people’s mental and emotional states. Here, twenty-eight students sat inside two architectural spaces, and their design principles were derived from sacred geometry. Before and after measurements of brain waves were taken, and a survey of their emotional and cognitive effects was conducted. As a result, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in brain waves at the frontal lobe were observed after individuals sat inside each architectural space, especially in the beta and gamma waves. Moreover, differences in the theta and theta/alpha ratios were observed in the pentagonal space (PS). A qualitative assessment revealed that the emotional and cognitive behavior of the students varied from a sense of sleep and rest to a sense of deep thinking and increasing attention. The study concluded that changes in architectural spaces affect the brain and the outcome behavior of individuals.

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