The Power of Neuro-aesthetics: Why Space Isn’t Just Space

I’ve always been deeply aware—almost instinctively—of how much a physical environment can shape a person’s internal world... I think it's why I have always found a deep sense of reward in designing built environments that make you feel something.

I want you to do a visualisation exercise with me… Now imagine you’re relaxing in this space…

Visualise sitting on this sofa, your bare feet touching the carpet. Imagine the sensory experience; take a deep breath and notice the thickness of the stale air, pay attention to the loud abrasive sounds from outside.

Now imagine you're relaxing in this space. Feel the cool timber flooring beneath your feet, run your hands over the full texture of the linen sofa, breath the fresh scented and slightly humid air and embrace the gentle harmonies of the birds outside.

How did each space make you feel? Did you feel safe or uneasy? Calm or wired?

I have used two extreme examples here to make a point - which is that our built environment clearly has the power to elicit a strong or even visceral emotional response - But we can still notice this phenominon in more subtle nuanced atmospheres. We have all walked into a space that feels uplifting, noticing that it seems to put us at ease. Contrastingly we have all stepped into environments that feel subtly oppressive or draining. You may not have been able to put your finger on why these environments made you feel this way or you may not have even been consiously  aware of the impact the space was having on you at all.

The science of neuroaesthetics not only explains why we have these visceral reactions but also the way we experience our built environment - through touch, smell, sound and sight can shape our emotional and physiological states & subsequently our health & wellbeing.

In Your Brain on Art, Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen reveal how our interactions with our environment engage multiple interconnected systems in the brain and body—from the limbic system (emotion and memory) to the autonomic nervous system (stress regulation), as well as sensory processing and reward pathways—all activated through sensory input.

These systems play a direct role in regulating immune function, hormone levels, sleep cycles, and our ability to focus and think clearly—making it clear just how profoundly the spaces we inhabit can impact our health and wellbeing.

When we step into a space, our brain is immediately processing…

• Visual inputs (light, color, symmetry, movement)

• Auditory cues (echo, softness, rhythm)

• Olfactory signals (natural scents, freshness, stagnation)

• Tactile sensations (textures, temperature, materials)

  
  

These inputs don’t just get “noticed”—they trigger neurochemical responses. Which is why environments we perceive to be beautiful or can stimulate the release of dopamine and serotonin, supporting feelings of pleasure, calm, and focus. Chaotic or poorly designed spaces can elevate cortisol levels, activating stress responses that impact everything from mood to immune function to cognitive capacity.

One might interpret this as simply “beautiful spaces make us feel good" but the reality is far more intricate —and far more powerful. We are all complex and unique beings, so we experience aesthetics differently.

The Aesthetic Triad: Why We Experience Spaces Differently

One of the most compelling frameworks in Neuroaesthetics is the Aesthetic Triad, developed by Oshin Vartanian &  Anjan Chatterjee - Professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, & chair of the Department of Neurology at Pennsylvania Hospital

It proposes that our experience of beauty and environment emerges from the interaction of three systems to form the 'Aesthetic Experience':

1. Sensory-Motor System (Perception) - This system processes the physical qualities of a space:

• Light and shadow

• Color palettes

• Shapes and forms

• Patterns and movement

  
  

This is why soft curves can feel calming, natural light feels energizing, and harsh fluorescent lighting can feel draining.

2. Emotion-Valuation System (Feeling) - This is where the emotional response happens:

• Pleasure

• Awe

• Comfort

• Unease

This system is closely tied to the brain’s reward pathways. It determines whether a space feels safe, inspiring, oppressive, or restorative.

3. Meaning-Knowledge System (Context) - This layer is deeply personal:

• Cultural associations

• Memories

• Personal experiences

• Symbolism

This explains why the same space can feel calming to one person and uncomfortable to another—cultural background and personal experience shape how we interpret what we perceive.

A Foundation For Wellness Architecture

The Aesthetic Triad highlights something crucial: there is no one-size-fits-all “perfect” space.

Wellness architecture isn’t just about creating spaces that look good—it’s about designing environments that support human nervous systems in diverse, meaningful ways.

When we intentionally design with neuroaesthetics in mind, we have the ability to create spaces that:

• Reduce stress and support emotional regulation

• Enhance focus, creativity, and cognitive performance

• Promote healing and recovery

• Foster a sense of safety, belonging, and connection

And importantly, by understanding the systems at play we can begin to tailor spaces to individual needs—recognizing that each person brings their own sensory sensitivities, emotional patterns, and lived experiences into a space. This is where things get exciting. Neuroaesthetics invites us to move beyond surface-level design and into multi-sensory, human-centered environments.

It asks questions like:

• How does this space feel in the body?

• What emotional states does it invite—or discourage?

• How do light, texture, sound, and scent work together?

• What stories or memories might this space evoke?

  
  

Because ultimately, the goal isn’t just to create spaces that are visually appealing—it’s to create spaces that support human flourishing.

A Personal Reflection

When I think about those two contrasting living spaces—the oppressive, neglected space versus the calm, nourishing one —it’s no longer just about perception.

It becomes clear to m that It’s about physiology. It’s about psychology. It’s about how deeply intertwined our environments are with our health.

A Final Thought

Neuroaesthetics reminds us of something both simple and profound:

The spaces we inhabit are shaping us, moment by moment.

While our environments aren’t medicine in themselves, they play a meaningful role in supporting our overall health—alongside the foundations we already understand, like nutrition, movement, and rest. Through the lens of salutogenesis, thoughtfully designed spaces can help reduce stress, support nervous system regulation, and contribute to the conditions that allow us to thrive.

References

Ross, I., & Magsamen, S. (2023). Your brain on art: How the arts transform us. Random House.

Christensen, A. P., Cardillo, E. R., & Chatterjee, A. (2023, January 12). Can Art Promote Understanding? A Review of the Psychology and Neuroscience of Aesthetic Cognitivism. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/aca0000541

Chatterjee, A., & Vartanian, O. (2016). Neuroscience of aesthetics. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1369(1), 172-194. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13035

Weinberger, A. B., Christensen, A. P., Coburn, A., & Chatterjee, A. (2021). Psychological responses to buildings and natural landscapes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 77, 101676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101676

Chatterjee, A., Coburn, A., & Weinberger, A. (2021). The neuroaesthetics of architectural spaces. Cognitive Processing, 22(Suppl 1), 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-021-01043-4

Coburn, A., Vartanian, O., Kenett, Y. N., Nadal, M., Hartung, F., Hayn-Leichsenring, G., ... & Chatterjee, A. (2020). Psychological and neural responses to architectural interiors. Cortex, 126, 217-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2020.01.009

Vartanian, O., Navarrete, G., Palumbo, L., & Chatterjee, A. (2021). Individual differences in preference for architectural interiors. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 77, 101668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101668