Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Neuroarchitecture: Bridging Brains, Buildings, and Belonging

Session

Architecture and Spatial Planning

Description

Neuroarchitecture has offered important insights into how the built environment shapes cognition, emotion, and well-being. However, much of this work has assumed universality in neural responses, overlooking the role of cultural context. Architecture is not only material but also symbolic, carrying meanings that differ across societies. This raises a crucial question: are brain responses to architecture universal, or are they also shaped by cultural familiarity and learned associations? This presentation explores cross-cultural perspectives at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and architecture. Shared mechanisms such as stress reduction in natural environments and attentional benefits of restorative spaces are outlined, together with evidence that cultural context modulates perception, memory, and aesthetic preference. Methodological challenges are addressed, including the selection of representative stimuli and the design of unbiased experiments. A cross-cultural lens can advance neuroarchitecture, moving it toward evidence-based design that remains sensitive to cultural identity

Keywords:

Neuroarchitecture, Cultural Neuroscience, Well-being, Cross-Cultural

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-982-41-2

Location

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Start Date

25-10-2025 9:00 AM

End Date

26-10-2025 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.26

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Oct 25th, 9:00 AM Oct 26th, 6:00 PM

Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Neuroarchitecture: Bridging Brains, Buildings, and Belonging

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Neuroarchitecture has offered important insights into how the built environment shapes cognition, emotion, and well-being. However, much of this work has assumed universality in neural responses, overlooking the role of cultural context. Architecture is not only material but also symbolic, carrying meanings that differ across societies. This raises a crucial question: are brain responses to architecture universal, or are they also shaped by cultural familiarity and learned associations? This presentation explores cross-cultural perspectives at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and architecture. Shared mechanisms such as stress reduction in natural environments and attentional benefits of restorative spaces are outlined, together with evidence that cultural context modulates perception, memory, and aesthetic preference. Methodological challenges are addressed, including the selection of representative stimuli and the design of unbiased experiments. A cross-cultural lens can advance neuroarchitecture, moving it toward evidence-based design that remains sensitive to cultural identity