Category Archives: Design

‘The Postcard Test’ in Copenhagen + beyond

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Genetics of Design

If you want to know which buildings attract people in cities—head to the postcard rack. The postcard above is from Copenhagen by Danish illustrator, Martin Schwartz, who’s created a series that capture “the soul of a city in a single … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Patterns | Leave a comment

Updates to Our 2018 Art+Science Photo Contest

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Genetics of Design

Our new poster shows the kind of photograph that works well with our Art + Science Photo Project and the resulting heat map.  Please take some pictures. Join the fun. Find out what really draws us in with no conscious control. We’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Design, Eye Tracking, People-centric Design, STEM | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Our 2018 Art+Science Photo Contest

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Genetics of Design

We’re thrilled to announce our grant from the Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council (ABCC) for a unique art + science study of two Massachusetts towns. This study uses photography, biometric tools and new findings in neuroscience to show how our unconscious behaviors govern … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Eye Tracking, People-centric Design, STEM, Walkability | Tagged | Leave a comment

Eye-Tracking Architecture: Going viral…

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Genetics of Design

We were pleased to see our research reported in Common\Edge earlier this month getting broad coverage elsewhere. Let us know if you’d like to republish too. 1. Fast Company: https://www.fastcodesign.com/90153582/scientists-are-finally-discovering-how-our-eyes-really-see-space 2. Architectural Digest: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/biometric-scanning-the-future-of-architecture-planning 3. ArchDaily: (in English + Portuguese) … Continue reading →

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Park Benches Where No One Sits

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Genetics of Design

If the goal of the bench is socialization, safety, scenery and shelter, why do these benches face busy streets, blank walls and parking lots? Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, Health, People-centric Design | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Eye Tracking the ‘Villa’: A First Step toward Understanding How We Experience Architecture

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Genetics of Design

La Villa Rotunda by architect Palladio is, arguably, one of the most significant buildings in architectural history. Designed in the late 16th-century as a country house in Vicenza, Italy for a retiring  cleric, its captivating elevations would go on to … Continue reading →

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The Genetics of Garden Design

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Genetics of Design

Architecture is not just about houses and buildings—it’s also about gardens and landscapes. In the Genetics of Design, we write about how design affects biology and how biology affects design. Well-designed spaces make people feel comfortable and safe. They mesh … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Design, Exercise, Health, People-centric Design, Walkability | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Eye Tracking Architecture: a Pilot Study at the IHCD

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Genetics of Design

In our pilot study at the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), we used eye-tracking technology to understand how people respond to the built environment. Thirty-three test volunteers, aged 18 to 80, viewed more than 60 images of elevations and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, City Planning, Design, People-centric Design | Tagged | 5 Comments

Inner Views: Your Brain on People

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Genetics of Design

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 Genetics of Design

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