How do buildings affect mental health?

The question

AUT News reported on research led by Amir and colleagues arguing that buildings, neighbourhoods and city spaces shape our mood and wellbeing, often without us noticing, and that mental health has had far less attention than physical health in research on buildings.

Measuring the brain

Working with AUT's EEG Lab, overseen by cognitive psychologist Dr Zohreh Doborjeh, the team uses EEG and fMRI to measure how people's brains respond to built environments, so that changes in colour, light, smell, sound or temperature can be tested and turned into design guidance.

From comfort to wellbeing

A linked study with Associate Professor Nicola Naismith and PhD researcher Sameh Azzazy connects indoor thermal comfort and air quality with occupants' mental wellbeing.

The aim

Amir described the goal as homes, offices and urban areas designed to improve mental health and support happier lives, and the team called on designers, professional bodies and government to give mental health more weight in how cities and buildings are made.

• AUT News: How do buildings affect mental health?
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• Neuroarchitecture Perspectives on Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort (Neuro-cities, Volume 3)
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