From Computational Cognition to Neuroarchitecture: Tracing the Past and Future Potential of Brain-Informed Design

This paper traces the intellectual foundations of neuroarchitecture, the design of environments informed by how the brain processes spatial information, from its origins in 1970s environmental psychology and later connectionist philosophy to its contemporary state. While early computational approaches prioritized speed and efficiency for engineering tasks like pattern recognition, a prescient group of pioneers pursued a different path. They developed biologically plausible neural network models that prioritized neural realism over computational performance. These networks embraced the complex realities of biological brains, incorporating excitatory and inhibitory dynamics, local learning rules, and hierarchical knowledge representation. We examine how the philosophical frameworks developed during this formative period established the theoretical foundation for meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscience and design. The field has since expanded significantly through our contemporary understanding of neurodiversity. This broader perspective has the potential to transform neuroarchitecture from a niche research area into a comprehensive approach for creating environments that support cognitive performance and brain health for everyone.