Why We Need to Design for Brain Health

Brain Health By Design

Neuroarchitecture is an innovative and rapidly growingdiscipline that merges the principles of neuroscience with architectural design. Research on animals has demonstrated that enriched environments promote brain connectivity and plasticity, while barren or unstimulating spaces can have the opposite effect. Elements such as sound, colour, contrast, natural vegetation, materials like wood, and access to natural light have profound impacts on our physiological, emotional, and cognitive well-being. By creating spaces that encourage curiosity, stimulate novelty and creativity, foster enjoyment, reduce stress, and promote calm exploration, we can actively support brain health. The ideal built environment should, therefore, offer a harmonious blend of physical, cognitive, sensory, and social stimulation, catering to the multifaceted needs of the human brain.

By designing built environments that prioritise brain health and incorporate features to reduce potential risks, we can create spaces that enhance overall well-being. This includes encouraging physical activity, providing access to nutritious food and natural spaces, fostering meaningful social connections, and minimising noise and stress. In doing so, we not only support brain health but also actively combat loneliness and its harmful impact on brain health.

 

Enabling the social infrastructure for brain health



In addition to adapting design features for the built environment, we need to enable the social infrastructure for brain health. Passive design features on their own will not be sufficient to enhance brain health and connection. There must be social enabling features in the environment that facilitate connecting and participation, including spaces, meeting centres and activities. The prosocial activity of volunteering should be promoted because it can decrease loneliness not just for the people who are benefiting from the volunteering but also for the volunteers themselves. We need to think about ways to help people connect and socialise, even at the ‘light touch’ level in buildings and in spaces. Novel ideas include being able to go to a checkout in a supermarket, which is slow and allows people to chat (so-called 'chatty checkout'); creating 'third spaces' in the workplace where people can interact; providing benches and rest spaces where people can talk in parks; and easily accessible activities indoors and outdoors, such as exercise, arts, and cultural events. 

   Design principles for brain health and connection First, we need to design for social engagement and intergenerational connections. The value for brain health is that social engagement will build more reserve in the brain, decrease depression and reduce stress. Intergenerational connections will promote openness, curiosity and bidirectional learning, all good for the brain’s plasticity.    The design features that achieve this include inclusive public spaces such as parks, gardens, community centres, recreational areas, walkable neighbourhoods, cycle lanes and opportunities for intergenerational housing and living.   Designing for inclusion is critical for brain health because inclusive environmental design provides equitable access to education, healthcare and other facilities, all of which impact our brain health.    Designing the built environment for cultural, creative and artistic engagement is another important feature. The value for brain health is that it will increase the brain’s reserve and resilience. Art can be used to enhance public spaces (e.g., murals, installations, sculptures), but we must also enhance community infrastructure to provide ready access to art and cultural experiences and creative activities.   Environments that are stimulating and promote curiosity increase brain plasticity, while built environments that allow for calm reduce stress, which is equally important for the brain. Designing to create an awe moment is good for the brain, e.g., access to nature, natural light, greening, and inspiring art are all examples that can evoke calmness and curiosity.  And designing the social infrastructure to improve and provide access to green space, nature, and opportunities to exercise improves cognition and mental health.    All these design features support brain health, cultivate more inclusive and sustainable communities, and protect against the development of loneliness. 

Housing and Brain Health

Brain health is about much more than simply the absence of disease. It’s about protecting and maximising the potential of your brain while building resilience throughout life. This resilience helps your brain cope with the natural wear and tear of ageing, as well as the structural and functional changes that occur over time. Our brain health and early development are deeply shaped by the social and physical environments we live in. These same forces—known as social determinants—also influence our risk of developing conditions like dementia later in life. Research, including animal studies, has shown that enriched and stimulating environments enhance brain connectivity and neuroplasticity. The evidence suggests the same is true for humans.

One of the most critical social determinants of brain health is housing stability. Housing instability can negatively impact brain development and mental health at all stages of life. In childhood, a lack of stable and affordable housing increases adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and limits educational opportunities, both of which hinder brain development. During adolescence, housing inequities disrupt social relationships, delay mental maturation, and expose individuals to more adverse experiences. In adulthood, unstable housing compounds stress, poor mental health, depression, unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as smoking, alcohol use, and physical inactivity), and even increases the risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). All of these factors contribute to a greater risk of dementia and cognitive decline later in life. On the positive side, access to residential green spaces has been shown to support brain function and cognition, while pollution and limited access to green spaces worsen mental health and cognitive outcomes.

Many of these factors are often invisible, especially to policymakers who focus more on the visible effects of housing instability—such as homelessness—without addressing its root causes. Homelessness is not merely the end stage of housing inequity but the result of a long history of trauma and instability, often beginning in childhood. To truly address homelessness, we must take action further upstream by tackling its root causes and preventing it before it begins. This is where social housing stakeholders play a vital role. Housing must come first, providing individuals with a safe and secure environment where their brains can thrive and develop.

Effective, affordable, and social housing is about more than just constructing buildings; it’s about creating homes and fostering communities. A home is more than a shelter—it’s a place of comfort, safety, security, and connection. It’s where individuals find a sense of identity and belonging, enabling them to grow and thrive. From a brain health perspective, the impact of housing and community on development and well-being is undeniable. Prioritising inclusive design—such as addressing physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities—and promoting access to green spaces, social connections, exercise, creative activities, culture, and healthy lifestyles all contribute to better brain health. These efforts not only support individual well-being but also help cultivate more inclusive and sustainable communities.