At the international 100+ TechnoBuild construction forum, Rubius presented an approach to integrating research on human perception and physiological responses into building information modeling (BIM). The initiative aims to connect scientific evidence with architectural design, helping industry professionals make more informed decisions about the spaces people live and work in.
On September 30, experts gathered for a session titled “The Home of the Future: How Does It Affect Us?” to discuss how the built environment influences human well-being, how these effects can be measured, and how research findings can inform building design.
The discussion brought together specialists in architecture, urban planning, neurobiology, psychophysiology, biomedical chemistry, building materials, real estate development, and digital technologies.
Measuring How Buildings Affect People
A key question raised during the session was how to objectively assess the quality of the built environment.
Researchers presented findings from eye-tracking studies conducted in residential interiors. The data revealed which elements of a space captured occupants' visual attention, highlighting differences between how architects envision a space and how people actually perceive it.
Experts also discussed methods for assessing environmental impact, including visual perception analysis, sensory load measurements, biochemical markers, building material properties, and other physical factors.
Together, these approaches could provide architects and developers with measurable evidence to support design decisions, moving beyond traditional assessments based primarily on aesthetics and technical specifications.
Connecting Scientific Research with Digital Building Models
Ilya Novoseltsev, Rubius Director of New Developments, proposed using digital technologies to bridge the gap between scientific research and building design.
While architects and engineers already use BIM to manage building data, researchers collect information about environmental conditions and human responses. Rubius proposes bringing these datasets together in a shared digital environment.
The proposed solution would allow researchers, architects, engineers, and developers to connect scientific findings with specific building elements and design decisions. It could also help organize research data and make relevant insights accessible throughout the design process.
By linking human-centered research with BIM, the construction industry could gain a more systematic way to evaluate how design choices affect the people who use buildings.
From Research to Practical Applications
The session also explored the broader implications of healthier, more comfortable environments.
Beyond everyday comfort, the quality of buildings and workplaces can influence people's well-being, performance, and ability to recover from fatigue. Understanding these relationships could help the industry create spaces that better support their occupants.
Participants emphasized that turning scientific knowledge into practical design tools will require close collaboration between researchers, technology companies, developers, and public institutions.
Next Steps: Defining a Shared Digital Approach
Following the discussion, participants proposed establishing an interdisciplinary working group of architects, researchers, developers, and IT specialists.
The group's initial priorities would be to develop a shared concept and define requirements for a digital tool that connects research findings with building design.
In the longer term, this initiative could help make human well-being a more measurable consideration in architectural and urban planning, enabling the design of homes, workplaces, and public spaces that better reflect people's needs.