Marking the republication of Richard Neutra’s landmark book Survival Through Design, Raymond Neutra, president of the Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design, will be joined by Anjan Chatterjee, professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania; Milton Shinberg, architect, educator, and author of People-Centered Architecture; and Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, architect at Little Architects, for a conversation exploring the intersection of neuroscience and architecture, with particular attention to educational environments and the ways design influences wellbeing, perception, and health .

The panelists will discuss how empirically- grounded and human-centered approaches to architecture intersect with contemporary neuroscience, environmental psychology, and behavioral sciences, exploring how buildings can be better understood through evidence-based design.  

Copies of People-Centered Architecture: Design, Practice, Education will be available for purchase, with a book signing following the program.  

Program Schedule 

5:30 pm Doors Open  

6 pm Panel Presentations  

7 pm Moderated Discussion  

7:30 pm Light Refreshments  

8 pm Close 

About the Speakers  

Raymond Richard Neutra 

Raymond Richard Neutra is a public health physician, President of the Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design and author of "Cheap and Thin: Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright." He reflects on his father’s intellectual project, how it relates to that of Frank Lloyd Wright and the significance of the new edition of Survival Through Design for a new generation of designers.  

Anjan Chatterjee 

Anjan Chatterjee is a professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania and a pioneer in neuroaesthetics, discusses how emerging science explains the cognitive and emotional impacts of spatial form, materials, and sensory experience.  

Milton Shinberg 

Milton Shinberg is an architect, educator, and author of People-Centered Architecture: Design, Practice, Education. He is one of the earliest advocates of “neurological” architectural education, shares insights from decades of teaching architects to engage perception, memory, and embodied experience.  

Carolyn Rickard-Brideau 

Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, architect and CEO at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting is an architect with deep experience in the design of environments focused on occupant well-being. Her work demonstrates how evidence-based strategies including daylighting, sensory regulation, and spatial cues, are translated into built environments that support learning, well-being, and healthy developmental outcomes.