Bridging Indigenous practices and neuroscience for inclusive architectural design

The built environment significantly shapes cognition, sensory processing, well-being, and the way that humans interact with one another. This research explores the intersection of the built environment, traditional and Indigenous architectural practices, and neuroscience as they apply to cognitive health and neurodivergent-friendly design. Drawing on four cultural traditions—Longhouses and other structures from Canada, Vastu Shastra from India, Feng Shui from China and the Te Aranga principles of New Zealand—the discussion synthesizes culturally sourced and peer-reviewed literature to examine how traditional design principles align with contemporary scientific perspectives. The review is structured into three sections: (1) an analysis of traditional architectural practices, (2) an evaluation of neuroscience findings on factors including natural light, spatial openness, and community spaces, and (3) an exploration of how built environments can better support neurodivergent individuals. Neuroethics provides the conceptual framework for this study, emphasizing the importance of pluralistic inquiry and the responsibility of designing pragmatic spaces that respect cognitive diversity and supportive built environments.