Elisava Research has participated in the Mind – Body – Space Global Symposium 2025, celebrated in Barcelona from June 30 to July 4.
Over five days, researchers, architects and designers have explored the intersections between neuroscience, psychology and architecture, to rethink the future of design with an approach based on scientific evidence and overall wellbeing.
The keynote speakers have shared valuable reflections on how the built environment has an impact on wellbeing. Cleo Valentine, Colin Ellard, Tye Farrow, William Browning and Ulrika Stigsdotter have addressed key topics such as neurophysiology in space, environmental psychology, wellbeing-oriented design, biophilia patterns, and a holistic vision of architecture that integrates nature, health and design.
This meeting has highlighted the need of building bridges between research and practice of architecture design. Acknowledgements to the organizers: Michaël Vrijhof, June Jordaan, Rachel Duggan, Niels Hofstee, Nuria Muñoz Arce, Alba Méndez García, and Dominique Gentillon Molina, along with the coorganizer entities Office for the New Earth (main driver), Habitar Monia, and Qualia Estudio.
From Elisava Research, María Araya has presented the progress of the Decoding Well-being and Care Through Design group, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary work, competence development of design students, and the link with the social, legislative and business context.
The event also had the participation of international figures such as Sally Augustin, Andrea de Paiva, Carey van der Zalm, Juan Luis Higuera-Trujillo, Callie van der Merwe, Xander Cadisch, among others. Their interventions have expanded the dialogue about the future of science-based design. The future of design must challenge paradigms and dare to create spaces that take care of the people and the planet.
