The piece contributes to the magazine’s regular ‘Mind Matters’ column, which focuses on the relationship between our minds and the physical environment.
In the article, Tim describes what makes us human. We guess; making decisions based on very little information. What does this mean in terms of how we understand and relate to places? It tells us that places should work with our instincts and blend with our emotions. They should be memory creating – whether this be through naming or layout; through structure or system.
‘Places benefit from difference, systems benefit from coherence.’
Ultimately, studying neuroscience will make our designs better for people. For us at Applied, this means continuing to understand the fascinating relationship between neuroscience and navigation to make environments legible. Whether this be through applying colour and pattern to highlight placemaking features, using illustrations to amplify landmarks, or designing wayfinding systems based on neighbourhood scales which work with the brain’s internal mapping system. Our techniques are always evolving.
To hear more about this topic, listen to our Re-routing the City podcast episode ‘Navigation and Neuroscience’, which features Tim talking with neuroscientist Kate Jeffery:
The full article 'Do places speak to us?' by Tim Fendley is available to download as a pdf below.
Mix Interiors are a leading industry title focusing on commercial interior design and architecture. The full version of the April 2024 issue of the magazine can be accessed via the link: https://www.mixinteriors.com/issues/mix-interiors-magazine-230/
