Research
Neuroarchitecture
One of the challenges of today's architecture and its scientific approach must be the dialogue between the built enviroment and its influence on its user's mood, emotions and well-being. In the course of my academic career I always found myself asking the question: what influence does this design approach, this object or that detail have on me when passing by, sitting across or lying next to it? The research possibilities in this area are gigantic and affect nearly every part of architectural planning.
Neuroarchitecture in educational institutions
The first time I started dealing with this area of scientific research was my Master degree's thesis, long before I even knew what the term Neuroarchitecture meant. In this thesis I investigated the different architectural designs, colours and materials used in a series of educational institutions in Germany and Switzerland. This resulted in a guide of planning tools for architects confronted by design challenges concerning children's health, education and well-being.
Neuroarchitecture in (aero)space
Possibly the topic I'm currently most interested in might be the effects of a small, confined space that people have to share for a longer period of time. It started out with a research as part of an university project titled "the speed of architecture", but exceeded beyond that: we live in an era of space discovery, the landing on Mars presents us with challenges: how could life on a foreign planet be manifested? What design choices will support humanity in its intentions? How can we as architects find solutions for this complete new branch of architecture?