The Centre for Conscious Design (CCD)

Upcoming Lighthouse Event announcement! We are delighted to feature CCD Lighthouse Fellow and participating speaker Prof. Hugo Spiers, a leading expert in cognitive neuroscience from the Department of Experimental Psychology at University College London (UCL). As Vice Dean for Innovation and Enterprise in the Faculty of Brain Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation, Professor Spiers is at the forefront of understanding how our brains navigate the world. His research delves into how we construct mental representations of our environment, allowing us to recall the past, navigate the present, and envision the future. Using diverse methods such as brain imaging, neuropsychological testing, virtual reality, and agent-based simulations, his team investigates the intricacies of brain function and spatial cognition. Notably, Professor Spiers co-led the Sea Hero Quest project, which engaged over 4 million participants to assess their navigation skills through a mobile app—shedding light on our understanding of spatial abilities. Join us at The Lighthouse Event, "Exploring Science’s Blind Spots," on November 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM UK/ 8:00 AM EST/ 2:00 PM CET / 6:30 PM IST/ 11:30 PM ACST. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and navigation! Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/dEmYvb8J Lighthouse events gather the CCD community to set a path of inquiry for the field of Conscious Design and the Conscious Cities Movement. #LighthouseSeries #CognitiveNeuroscience #SpatialCognition #HugoSpiers

Conscious Cities Journal No.06 I October Edition Amidst the contours of the ongoing housing crisis, how do we design for connection? How can we as designers shape richer, more connected spaces for well-being when space itself is at such a premium? In the article "The Need for Roots: Design for Connection in a Housing Crisis", author Sarah Klym highlights the concept of "rootedness," emphasising that community ties are essential for well-being and resilience. At Human Studio Architecture + Urban Design, she focuses on creating spaces that foster social interaction, as seen in a mixed-use project called 800 Commercial in Vancouver. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gwnaQ7jb #HousingCrisis #UrbanDesign #CommunityWellbeing Image: Dmitriy Adamenko

CCD Lighthouse Event Series Announcement! Join us as we welcome our next participating speaker for the upcoming CCD Lighthouse Event! Prof. Colin Ellard is a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Waterloo and director of its Urban Realities Laboratory. His innovative work lies at the intersection of urban and architectural design and experimental psychology, where he explores how our built environment influences human experience. Through his novel methods, he measures human responses to spaces using a combination of traditional psychological techniques and cutting-edge sensor-based assessments of physiology and brain function. His insights have informed collaborations with architects, museums, and NGOs, enhancing our understanding of how design impacts mental health and well-being. Colin is not only a prolific researcher, publishing extensively in peer-reviewed journals, but he also shares his expertise through keynotes and workshops worldwide. His most recent book, Places of the Heart (Bellevue Literary Press, 2015), further explores these vital connections. Join us at The Lighthouse Event, "Exploring Science’s Blind Spots," on November 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM UK/ 8:00 AM EST/ 2:00 PM CET / 6:30 PM IST/ 11:30 PM ACST. Let’s dive deep into the connections between our environments and our well-being! Register and learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/dEmYvb8J Lighthouse events gather the CCD community to set a path of inquiry for the field of Conscious Design and the Conscious Cities Movement. #LighthouseSeries #CognitiveNeuroscience #UrbanDesign #MentalHealth #ColinEllard

Very proud to announce that my co-written paper under Zoological Society of London (ZSL) research study is finally published in the The Centre for Conscious Design (CCD). It’s been an ongoing 2 years of working on it on our free time and it’s finally done! 🥳🥳 #research #zsl #plastic #scientist #achivement #researchassistant #published

Conscious Cities Journal No.06 I Latest Edition What role do windows play in our sense of well-being, ability to think creatively, and connect to the world? In her insightful piece for the Conscious Cities Journal, CCD Fellow Shravani Bhattacharyya explores how windows significantly influence our mental and emotional health, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. How do your windows contribute to your health and happiness? Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gGce345w #Health #Wellbeing #Architecture #MentalHealth #Design #NaturalLight

CCD Lighthouse Event Series Announcement! We are thrilled to introduce Susan Magsamen as one of our participating speakers for the upcoming CCD Lighthouse Event Series! Also Lighthouse Fellow at the CCD, Susan is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine(IAM Lab) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Focusing on the transformative power of the arts, her groundbreaking work in neuroaesthetics aims to uncover how aesthetic experiences can measurably change our brain, body, and behavior. As co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint project in partnership with the Aspen Institute, and author of Impact Thinking and the New York Times Bestseller Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge on how these insights can inform health, well-being, and education. Join us at The Lighthouse Event, "Exploring Science’s Blind Spots," on November 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM UK/ 8:00 AM EST/ 2:00 PM CET / 6:30 PM IST/ 11:30 PM ACST. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the intersections of art, science, and human experience! Register here to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/dEmYvb8J Lighthouse events gather the CCD community to set a path of inquiry for the field of Conscious Design and the Conscious Cities Movement. #LighthouseSeries #Neuroaesthetics #ArtsAndScience #HealthAndWellbeing #SusanMagsamen

Join us at "The Cave" happening tomorrow! This edition will focus on the theme of Connection and Belonging. What makes a city welcoming? To what extent can design foster healthy social connections? How do researchers measure the sense of belonging in urban environments? Bring your ideas and experiences to explore how this important topic relates to the built environment and to your practice in particular. The Cave is a gathering space for members of the Conscious Design Network who are actively exploring the frontiers of science-informed, people-centred design. It is a space where you can seek inspiration, peer-to-peer support and a trusted community to navigate the complexities of a field and industry in development. Join us! Please register in advance: https://lnkd.in/gpwJA7SP The Cave events are not recorded. Hosted by Marta Delgado

Conscious Cities Journal No.6 I October Edition In her article "Designing for Wellbeing in High-Pressure Environments," Marta Delgado draws from her unique consultancy work, Architecture With Meaning. The piece highlights how thoughtful design can mitigate the effects of high-stress occupations. Her practice translates human-centred narratives and environmental psychology research into design insights that enhance the environment's essential role in supporting human health and well-being. In this case, Marta focuses on design strategies to improve sleep quality and create a sense of place and refuge that helps firefighters process traumatic experiences, fostering resilience in their demanding roles. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gRQEHYG8 Connect and discover more at https://lnkd.in/gKGvpRrJ #Health #Wellbeing #Architecture #MentalHealth #Design #Firefighters #HighPressureEnvironements

Join us at The Cave on the 23rd of October! This edition will focus on the theme of Connection and Belonging. What makes a city welcoming? To what extent can design foster healthy social connections? How do researchers measure the sense of belonging in urban environments? Bring your ideas and experiences to explore how this important topic relates to the built environment and to your practice in particular. The Cave is a gathering space for members of the Conscious Design Network who are actively exploring the frontiers of science-informed, people-centred design. It is a space where you can seek inspiration, peer-to-peer support and a trusted community to navigate the complexities of a field and industry in development. Join us! Please register in advance: https://lnkd.in/gpwJA7SP The Cave events are not recorded. Hosted by Marta Delgado

CCD Fellow Erin K. Peavey with a simple yet profound statement. We agree!