Category Archives: Design

Inner Views: Your Brain on People

Posted on April 2, 2016 by

We see a space differently with people in the picture; our brain simply directs our attention towards them without any conscious effort on our part. On some level, we may know this, but now with eye-tracking technology we can really … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Design, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Joy of Modern Houses

Posted on September 25, 2015 by

The first time I toured a modern house, it was love at first sight. Heart racing. Pulse pounding. Face flushing. Love. Or maybe lust. Either way, once I met a house with cathedral ceilings, I never went back. Humongous windows. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Design, Health | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Allure of Repeated Patterns

Posted on September 2, 2015 by

The main draw of the new Broad Museum slated to open in Los Angeles on September 22 is the eye-catching pattern on the building’s skin. Humans are captivated by repeating patterns: dots, diamonds, circles, cross hatches, ovals, stripes, spirals, scallops, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Design, Patterns | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

No Faces – We’ll Affix That!

Posted on August 26, 2015 by

How We Add Faces to Blank Places Humans are drawn to faces. Our brains are built to see them. Indeed, more of our brain is engaged in facial recognition than the recognition of any other visual object, says neuroscientist Eric … Continue reading →

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Following Fractals

Posted on June 25, 2015 by

“God is in the details.” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe As New England emerged from a record-breaking snowy winter, I watched trees blossom overnight into intricate patterns against a blue sky. Without thinking, I grabbed my iPhone and pointed … Continue reading →

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Planning for People

Posted on April 25, 2015 by

“First life, then spaces, then buildings–the other way around never works.” Jan Gehl While Boston celebrated the start of the American Revolution on Patriot’s Day this week, the city of Somerville, two miles west, started a different kind of rebellion … Continue reading →

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