Design Hotels Launches a New Study on Neuroaesthetics
Diving deep into the impacts of a growing trend first explored in our Further Forecast 2024, Design Hotels announces the launch of "Neuroaesthetics — Design for the Mind", a new cultural study on neuroaesthetics, uncovering how aesthetics, culture, and technology impact our brains, bodies, and behaviors. Researched and developed by neuroaesthetics studio Kinda Studios and created in partnership with FSB Franz Schneider Brakel, the study collates insights across science, technology, and the arts, and features interviews with renowned voices including artist Refik Anadol, neuroaesthetics architect and designer Suchi Reddy, and neuroscientist Anjan Chatterjee.
Unpacking the latest research and science in the emergent field of neuroaesthetics, Design Hotels’ new report “Neuroaesthetics—Design for the Mind” explores the measurable impacts that aesthetic experiences have on our brains and bodies. When intelligently applied to design, architecture, and cultural programming, neuroaesthetics offers unlimited possibilities to transform human behavior and foster a better sense of community, belonging, transformation, and longevity—benefitting society as a whole long term.
With these potential futures in mind, Design Hotels partnered with Kinda Studios and FSB Franz Schneider Brakel to create an in-depth cultural study exploring the relevance of neuroaesthetics today. Following an exclusive preview at an event held during Milan Design Week, the 68-page report offers four pillars to shape design decisions, 56 case studies that explore its practical applications, and an accessible tool kit for architects, hoteliers, designers, and more to adapt its core principles.
It’s been incredibly exciting to work with Kinda Studios and FSB on this new cultural study. As our recent Further Forecast 2024 report noted, design decisions that evoke transformative experiences not only elevate our immediate surroundings, but also nurture a profound sense of belonging, community, and well-being. Our collection of over 300 design-led hotels each contain thoughtfully curated spaces designed to incite awe and spark inspiration. Through this deep dive into neuroaesthetics, we are developing a wider understanding of how aesthetics, culture, and technology can converge to shape our cognitive and emotional landscapes—and create more impactful, purpose-led spaces in the process. Sarah Doyle, Deputy Managing Director & VP Global Brand Leader, Design Hotels
A recent report by the World Green Building Council found that people in developed countries spend over 90% of their time in built environments. What’s more, a 2023 survey in the UK revealed that 73% of people believe the way buildings look impacts their mental health, and the Design Hotels 2023 Community Survey found that 50% of people are seeking more opportunities to connect with people in a deeper way.
These findings underline the importance of applying the science of neuroaesthetics to the creation of spaces: designing for emotion can be viewed as a necessary function, as emotions are our most powerful physiological sensation and support our decision making, wellbeing, and states of balance. When armed with new insights on neuroaesthetics, we can revolutionize design, creating a future where designing for emotion as a function begins to steer creative briefs and leads to more impactful results.
Beyond presenting scientific facts and a roadmap to apply neuroaesthetics to design decisions, “Neuroaesthetics—Design for the Mind” also features interviews with notable figures who provide additional perspectives. Neuroscientist Anjan Chatterjee, who leads a pioneering lab at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, speaks about the rapid rise of the field and the challenges we face. Neuroaesthetics architect and designer Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade Architecture and Design, shares her innovative work with neuroaesthetics and her principle of “form follows feeling”. Designer Mike Holland, a senior partner and head of industrial design at Foster + Partners, explains how the studio approaches neuroaesthetics and uses it to create a sense of belonging in built environments—evidenced in its new product launch with FSB on the FSB1292 handle. Perfumer Dawn Goldworm, Scent Director of olfactive branding company 12.29, explains the power of scent, and how it can be used in design to conjure up emotional experiences in cohesion with other design elements. And finally, renowned artist Refik Anadol shares the power of collective intelligence, and how it can be used to create ideas, projects, and work.
Design Hotels is at the forefront of design and thought leadership, so it has been exciting for us to partner with them and highlight the opportunities that neuroscience presents when it comes to designing hotels. Hotels are especially significant in the field, as they are public, social spaces that also have a wider impact on the communities they inhabit. We’re excited to see where this field can go and the impacts it can have—and to unlock unlimited opportunities to design with emotion at the core of a creative brief. Robyn Landau, Co-Founder of Kinda Studios
Download the Report
“Neuroaesthetics—Design for the Mind,” published by Design Hotels, researched and developed by Kinda Studios, and created in partnership with FSB Franz Schneider Brakel, can be downloaded here. This cultural study was born from the Further Forecast 2024, which identified six macrotrends that will define the future of travel and culture for years to come. Discover the Further Forecast here.
