Biorealism and Survival Through Design Prompt #1: Through biorealism, Neutra pioneered a new approach that addressed the primary role of physiology and psychology in architecture. In Survival Through Design 1954, he wrote: "It is strange that human beings have hardly ever been studied with regard to their vital needs and care, the way rooted plants are studied in order to aid the agronomist in his work. Little information of this kind has been collected in practical handbooks printed for the architect and the designer. The sort of investigation spoken of here is not at all revolutionary in itself. Only its application to design has so far been rather fragmentary. The most specifically human endowment to be studied is a nervous system fused to an upper brain of extraordinary volume and complexity" (Neutra 1954, 2). Today, the use of scientific knowledge in service of design is often referred to as evidence-based design. Evidence- based design involves the process of constructing a building or physical environment based on scientific research to achieve the best possible outcomes. - Refer to and cite specific passages as you engage in a discussion about: 1) the level of knowledge that designers need about human physiology and psychology and 2) the type of evidence that would most benefit the practice of design. -Should there be more biological, scientific and/or psychological research that informs design decisions? - Refer to and cite specific passages as you engage in a discussion about: 1) the level of knowledge that designers need about human physiology and psychology and 2) the type of evidence that would most benefit the practice of design. -Should there be more biological, scientific and/or psychological research that informs design decisions? - Provide examples, from your lived experience, of spaces that were inadequately designed for a balanced human nervous system and one that caused an imbalance. If there were wearable devices that provided real-time feedback on spaces that measured human responses to spaces in connection to health markers (stress, heart race, toxins etc.), would you wear one? If so, why? If not, why not? Prompt #2: Within the framework of biorealism, the proximity to nature is critical for optimal health and considered an element of good design. Paradoxically, Survival Through Design offers a critique of how society has damaged and polluted. "Nature has too long been outraged by the design of nose rings, corsets, and foul-aired subways. Perhaps our mass-fabricators of today have shown themselves particularly out of touch with nature.” (Neutra 1954, 110). In many parts of the world today, the Prompt #2: Within the framework of biorealism, the proximity to nature is critical for optimal health and considered an element of good design. Paradoxically, Survival Through Design offers a critique of how society has damaged and polluted. "Nature has too long been outraged by the design of nose rings, corsets, and foul-aired subways. Perhaps our mass-fabricators of today have shown themselves particularly out of touch with nature..." (Neutra 1954, 110). In many parts of the world today, the nature that exists is not in its most purified state, so 'nature near' does not always mean health promoting. - Share reflections on the merits and weaknesses in Neutra's theory of biorealism. Highlight at least two weaknesses and two strengths. Cite specific passages and analyze your rationale. - From your contemporary lens, could 'nature near' be health compromising or health promoting? -Should architects be like medical practitioners responsible for healing the ailments of clients or inhabitants? - Consider the number of structures, buildings, spaces, and digital devices that an individual uses over their lifetime, how could one determine which specific design aspects cause harm? Prompt #3: Neutra's work seeks to protect the human race through healthful design and evidence-based practices. He writes: "Design, never a harmless play with forms and colors, changes outer life as well as our inner balances” (Neutra 1954, 2). Elements such as acoustical balances, pitch, air quality, toxins in the water, and sensory overload all impact the internal balances of the human condition. Design with an acute sensitivity to the whole human, he argues, has potential to enhance the health of humans.For example, the Lovell Health House by Neutra contains a pool, gym, filtered water, optimal site positioning, state-of-the art kitchen, sun-bathing terraces and other features for the family to live in optimal health. However, is not possible nor sustainable for the planet for each home to contain these elements. - Examine the ideas of biorealism through the lens of equity or environmental justice. As you engage in a discussion, refer to and cite specific passages from Survival Through Design. - If novel and healthful design practices are available only to a wealthy elite, where does an approach to good design cross into environmental injustice for those that cannot afford to tap such resources? - Could the tenets of biorealism be applied to all people? Is it necessary to pay an architect to reap the benefits of the theories? Prompt #4: Multiple times in Survival Through Design, Neutra argues that design can either aid in the survival of the human race or lead to its destruction. He writes: "Design is the cardinal means by which human beings have long tried to modify their natural environment, piecemeal and wholesale. The physical surroundings had to be made more habitable and more in keeping with rising aspirations. Each design becomes an ancestor to a great number of other designs and engenders a new crop of aspirations... Through the mental work of design, which is supposed to improve our lives, the race appears generally to stray farther and farther from the natural scene" (Neutra 1954, 111). The role of design is critical in the making of the planet habitable or uninhabitable. But what are the most effective measures to make it better? - As you engage in a discussion, refer to and cite specific passages from Survival Through Design that demonstrate Neutra's ideas to counter potential harms (such as the index of liveability) and to, ideally, enhance design practices for humanity. -Like product manufacturers, who are responsible for the effectiveness of their products, what degree of responsibility do architects/designers have when designing buildings for clients? - What are the advantages and disadvantages of systematic observation and legislation that governs design to monitor the impacts on human health?