Measuring Human Experience in Architecture

Explore how to measure human experience across real buildings using psychological methods that complement traditional POE approaches.

Move from intuition to evidence.

How do we know whether a building supports the people who use it—cognitively, emotionally, and socially?

Measuring Human Experience is an advanced, practice-focused workshop developed by the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) and DIALOG. Over four days in Calgary, you’ll explore scientific assessment approaches that could complement human-centred post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) combining explicit feedback and implicit psychological testing.

Working in small groups with guidance from an international faculty, you will:

• Gain an introduction to foundational concepts from environmental psychology and neuroscience that are relevant to architecture and urban design.
• Explore methods for capturing human experience such as: surveys, cognitive tasks, and other implicit measures.
• Visit real buildings—including the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and the Calgary Central Library—and engage with selected assessment tools on site.
• Consider how a human-centered POE might be adapted to your own project and how results may inform clients and decision-makers.
• Have the option to be part of a growing body of case studies and a potential short documentary that will share the story of this work with a wider audience.

Who this workshop is for:

• Mid- to senior-level architects, designers, and planners
• Healthcare, higher-education, workplace, and civic project leaders
• Researchers in neuroscience, psychology, or environmental design seeking closer ties to practice
• Advanced graduate students with a strong interest in evidence-based design

You do not need to be a statistician or neuroscientist to participate. The focus is on practical tools and workflows that illustrate how human experience can be measured and integrated into real projects.

For more information, please visit our website: measuringhumanexperience.com

Note:

Some assessment activities in the experimental days are part of a research study. Contributing data to the research is entirely voluntary. Only data from participants who provide informed consent will be included in the study and used for workshop activities. Participants who choose not to contribute can still fully take part in all workshop activities. All data collection will follow informed consent procedures, and participants can withdraw at any time.