The WISE Journal
The WISE Journal is an extensive mixed-media publication based on insights from CEBRA’s research programme WISE. The publication investigates the dynamic relationship between architecture, people, and human activities in work and learning environments. It comprises interviews with some of the world’s foremost thinkers from companies such as The LEGO Group, Spotify, and Pinterest, as well as the University of Toronto, Politecnico di Milano, Design for Change, and the Danish Technical University. Featuring several essays and case studies, it showcases how sensory-rich architecture can support well-being, learning, and productivity.
What is the psychological and cognitive impact of architecture? How does architecture affect learning progress, well-being, and productivity?
The WISE journal is a constant, informed investigation of how to design architecture for the mind. Since every person is different and activities change over time, our approach is to constantly explore and reimagine this ongoing relationship. The publication is not a manifesto or a piece of solid scientific work. Instead, it is a foundation for exploration – a curiosity maze.
Based on written and video interviews, 65 essays and several case studies, the WISE Journal describes the ideas and the research behind them in a coherent framework.
The insights are grounded in a spectrum of ideas and research ranging from:
- 100% proven and accepted theories
- Early-stage and preliminary research
- Theories based on informed speculation or experience
- Pure experience
- Intuition
You can get the full publication on Apple Books and on www.wise-journal.com.
A publication based on the R&D programme WISE
In 2019, CEBRA initiated an ambitious R&D programme WISE growing out of over 20 years of experience with designing work and learning environments. Addressing the social and emotional impact of architecture on human thinking, the programme explores and suggests design strategies for well-being in work and learning environments. In a world with a still more data-driven approach to construction, CEBRA speaks up for sensory-rich architecture. In innovation environments, there is a great potential to strengthen the process and output of education and learning by designing for the mind and reinforcing the conditions for knowledge creation, putting human emotion at the centre. Emotional impact greatly affects performance, attitude and mindset, sense of safety, and, ultimately, economic and social variables such as employee lifetime and whether we care for a building or tear it down.
Our approach to design is based on the notion that architecture must be able to adapt to its users, and not the other way around. WISE connects architecture with research in sensory stimuli, cognitive psychology, behaviourism, and neuroscience to achieve the following objectives:
- To survey and validate how architecture influences behaviour and actions that promote innovation and enhance learning capacity
- To explore how these qualities can be measured and quantified to become operational tools for architects and designers
- To establish a broad international network of relevant scholars, experts, entrepreneurs and investors who subscribe to human-centered values of design.
- To translate this cross-disciplinary research in architectural practice.
- To analyse and assess the effect of the resulting architecture and create a platform for discourse, inspiration and innovation that can respond to future changes and discoveries
For lecture requests or enquiries about the WISE programme or The WISE Journal, please contact R&D Architect Klaudio Muca at muc@cebra.dk.
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