Alice Russell
Advisor: Erik Thiessen
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Science, Technology and Society
Investigating the Use of Fractal Architecture to Reduce Stress in Urban Settings
Nature provides a variety of physical and mental health benefits, which is especially critical for those living in urban environments that tend to cause consistent, low-level stress. This is because the human nervous system evolved in - and is therefore chiefly adapted to - places like savannas and forests, not to concrete city blocks. If we can identify the precise features of nature that benefit us, we can build modern urban environments that are better suited to our wellbeing. Fractals, or repeated self-similar patterns at different scales, may be part of the answer, as they are ubiquitous in nature and two-dimensional fractal patterns have been shown to reduce stress. Alice’s project will test whether architecture with fractal geometry can reduce stress by comparing participants’ self-reported stress levels before and after viewing a video walk-through of simulated fractal or non-fractal architecture. The results have the potential to encourage architects to adopt (or re-adopt) fractal designs in order to bring the built environment closer to the natural environment.
Bio
Alice is interested in the intersection of neuroscience and architecture - in particular, she is fascinated by the way spaces can inspire emotions and wants to study the specific features responsible for that. Eventually, she would love to design spaces with the mental wellbeing of occupants in mind. Beyond neuroscience and architecture, Alice enjoys art, dancing, running (especially in Schenley and Frick parks), guitar, and learning Portuguese.