In this series of articles, I wanted to explore the differences and similarities between Feng Shui and other disciplines that, from more scientific perspectives, also study how the environment influences our well-being. What's fascinating is that many of the principles that Feng Shui has proposed for millennia—such as the importance of light, order, form, and the energy of space—are now being validated by neuroscience, environmental psychology, and emotional design. It's as if ancient wisdom had anticipated what science is only just beginning to measure.

 

In the previous article, we discussed how Environmental Psychology and Feng Shui offer an integrative approach to transforming our homes into places of healing. Today, we take it a step further: we explore Neuroarchitecture, a discipline that not only examines how we feel in a space, but also how that space modifies our brain activity.

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Where was Neuroarchitecture born?

It's difficult to pinpoint a specific moment in time when the practice of this science began. From the beginnings of environmental psychology in the 1960s onward, the principles of how environments and surroundings affect human beings have been increasingly used. In the 1980s, research demonstrated that the sight of a beautiful hospital setting can accelerate patient recovery; then, in the 1990s, neuroscientists Fred Gage and Peter Eriksson demonstrated that the adult brain can generate new neurons with stimulating environments, a fundamental step in the establishment of Neuroarchitecture. In 2003, the Institute for Neuroscience and Architecture (ANFA) was founded at the University of California, San Diego. Its objective was clear: to unite architects and neuroscientists to study how physical environments affect human behavior, emotion, and cognition.

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How has this practice evolved in recent years?

Today, Neuroarchitecture is applied in high-impact social projects: hospitals that reduce preoperative stress, prisons that promote rehabilitation, schools that stimulate creativity, and housing that improves mental health. Metrics have been developed to assess the "neurological impact" of a space, and technologies such as brain scans, cortisol studies, and alpha wave analysis are used to measure how the environment modifies brain activity.

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Architects such as Renzo Piano and Bjarke Ingels, and leading architectural firms like Gensler, are already integrating these principles into their designs. In Latin America, initiatives such as Architecture for Happiness and Emotional Housing projects in Colombia and Mexico are exploring how design can heal social wounds.

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Ancient wisdom, modern perspective

What for centuries was intuition has now become evidence. Feng shui spoke of energy. Neuroarchitecture speaks of stimuli, perception, and spatial memory. Two distinct languages ​​that, when they meet, reveal the same thing: that the space we inhabit also inhabits us.

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Both disciplines agree on essential principles:

Natural light regulates mood and sleep.

Curved shapes generate calm and emotional connection.

Noble materials activate feelings of security and belonging.

Visual order reduces cognitive overload.

Connecting with nature restores focus and balances the nervous system.

The use of attractive colors and designs can influence people's mood.

 

Practical tips for applying Neuroarchitecture at home

Here are some simple steps you can take today to transform your home into a supportive space:

Change white light to warm light in rest areas.

Add a live plant near your work area.

Soften sharp corners with textiles or curved elements.

Use mirrors or light colors to visually open up small spaces.

Create a relaxing corner with a comfortable chair, a candle, and a blanket.

Eliminate visual clutter in areas where you need mental clarity.

 

These small actions are what we might call micro-transformations: minimal but intentional gestures that change your relationship with space. They don't require major work or investment, but they do require awareness. And when done with purpose, they can activate what Neuroarchitecture calls perceived control: the feeling that you can influence your environment. Scientifically, this reduces stress and improves your well-being.

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Neuroarchitecture teaches us that space isn't just inhabited: it's felt, and we can program it to improve our cognitive functioning. Feng Shui reminds us that every corner has energy and soul. When both perspectives intertwine, the home ceases to be a stage and becomes a silent ally of your well-being. A place that accompanies you, supports you, and stimulates you when you need it.

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In our next Transform Your Home article, we'll explore how family constellations reveal the invisible memories that also inhabit our spaces. Just as Feng Shui and Neuroarchitecture teach us to read the energy and emotional impact of our surroundings, constellations invite us to look at what's unseen: the bonds, loyalties, and patterns that are reflected in the way we live. By rearranging the physical, perhaps we can also rearrange the emotional. And thus, restore to the home its capacity to sustain us at every stage of our evolution.

 

Karina Guzmán

Journalist and Consultant of Feng Shui applied to Interior Design

 

Photo credits:

Photo by Hoang Huy on Unsplash 

Photo by Marek Mucha on Unsplash 

Photo by Di on Unsplash