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An Argument for Interior Design with Neuroaesthetics in Mind

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In interior design, stylistic fads come and go. More often than not, these trends reflect changing tastes and fleeting—dare we say vapid—cultural phenomena, but rarely anything else. With our homes, offices, and ever-fluid civic spaces forming the backdrop of our lives, shouldn’t these environments be conceived with more substantiated intention? Shouldn’t the right acoustic or lighting plan supersede the perceived “need” for gimmicky flex? And why can’t these essential considerations be delivered with visual appeal still in mind?

People lie on curved platforms beneath a large circular screen displaying a forest canopy, creating an immersive nature experience in a dark room.

A new report from John Hopkins University’s International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab) re-assesses the serious functional value of aesthetics in not just supporting mental and physical health but also better facilitating individual creativity and interpersonal interaction; a condition in short supply these days.

A group of people stand outside a modern building with wooden benches and a canopy of tree branches overhead on a sunny day.

A modern train dining car with wooden tables, cushioned booths, large windows, and green moss-like decor along the window ledges.

Released earlier this year, the Intentional Space Roadmap is an in-depth, multivalent scientific yet accessibly written study that ultimately calls for the establishment of a more well-rounded interior design field coined Neuroarchitecture, one that incorporates the indispensable expertise of psychology. It unpacks how light, sound, texture, form, and natural shape (Biophilia) implicitly influence how we feel, think, heal, and connect with others.

A room with a ceiling covered in green foliage, mossy rocks on the floor, and a large circular archway leading to another space.

Curved white benches line a paved walkway under an overhead canopy of greenery, with sunlight filtering through and plants bordering the path.

“We are in, or move through, spaces every moment of our lives, and we now know that our environments have powerful effects on our physical and mental health,” said Susan Magsamen, Executive Director of the IAM Lab. “The importance and momentum of this work have never been more critical. From individual wellbeing to community impact, across every sector of society, the implications are profound. Intentional spaces represent a cost-effective, life-changing opportunity to improve health, resilience, innovation and quality of life at scale. This is not a dream or wishful thinking. There are organizations already putting these ideas into practice and leading the way and we are offering a roadmap and resources to accelerate this movement.”

A person walks past two light blue doors in a minimalist, white hallway with floating shelves and soft floor lighting.

Modern relaxation room with a sleek adjustable bed, two chairs, a small table with a plant, gray curtains, and a wall mural of a misty forest.

The report isn’t merely a defense of this fresh proposition—one rooted in long-refined strategies—but also an actionable framework. Sections self-reflectively outline the research involved; the disciplinary obstacles still in place that stymie the adoption of this more versatile and actually holistic mindset; and recommendations to get past these limitations. Overall, it calls for a more cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach.

Geometric, glowing rectangular light fixtures hang from a ceiling above a mist-covered platform in a modern, mood-lit room with textured walls.

People sit on tiered wooden seating with illuminated, sculptural wave-like designs on the walls in a modern, minimalist interior space.

Some of the challenges identified include the lack of universal terminology, access to applied evidence, and regulatory incentive. Incomplete training and financial constraints—the speed at which we expect projects to be carried out to meet the bottom-line of increasingly hurried economic realities—are other more obvious hurdles. The onus is both on design practitioners and academic researchers, both of which tend to keep their intuitive and intellectual expertise siloed within their respective fields.

Minimalist bedroom with an unmade bed, a blanket draped on the side, and natural light streaming through skylights onto a tree outside a large window.

A dimly lit bedroom with an unmade bed, a modern hanging lamp, large window, and a blurred silhouette of a person standing outside near a tree and table.

Some of the strategic “tools” outlined centers on dissolving these boundaries, making research and the values of neuroaesthetics more integral to design education for one. When it comes to the actual practice of interior design, an evidence-based strategy could more closely take into account the use of a specific space; its role is helping individuals focus; create memories; regulate emotions; ideate with little constraint or distraction; and have more pleasing—calming—sensory experiences.

A person in a white dress stands in a minimalist, steam-filled room with a sink and perforated ceiling panels emitting light.

Minimalist spa lounge with two wooden chairs, a small table, soft lighting, and a water feature with cascading illuminated streams against dark wood-paneled walls.

Perhaps the most important aspect for our still capitalist society is to draw clear links between the economic value—efficiency and cost-effectiveness—of this methodology; the idea that spaces that are more holistically designed along this framework will help its inhabitants/users live and perform better.

Dimly lit lounge with rectangular pendant lights, curved sofas, and silhouettes of people against a yellow backlit wall.

Modern lounge with stone walls, low seating, ceiling speakers, and a large glowing orange backlit wall creating a warm ambiance.

To further evolution, and perhaps be more answerable to the environment, architecture and design need to harness the virtues of the scientific method.

A modern office with a red desk, closed laptop, small green plant, black chair, and three pendant lights. Sunlight casts shadows on the textured wall and floor-to-ceiling window shows plants outside.

A group of people stand spaced apart on a sunlit surface, casting long shadows in different directions.

Several people sit and talk on tiered wooden seating inside a modern structure with vertical slats and ambient lighting. Large windows allow natural light into the space.

To learn more about IAM Lab, visit artsandmindlab.

Photography courtesy of John Hopkins University.

Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer specializing in collectible and sustainable design. With a particular focus on topics that exemplify the best in craft-led experimentation, he's committed to supporting talents that push the envelope in various disciplines.

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