Why Human Experience Metrics Matter
March 19 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Event Overview
What does it truly mean for a building to “work” for people? This question is at the center of the event “Why Human Experience Metrics Matter”, a breakfast panel presented by DIALOG in collaboration with the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA). The event explores how neuroscience and environmental psychology are influencing contemporary design decisions across sectors such as healthcare, real estate development, and civic architecture.
As designers and developers increasingly focus on human-centered environments, the discussion will examine how emerging scientific tools and research methods can measure the impact of design on human behavior, cognition, and well-being. These insights are reshaping how architects approach spatial planning, workplace environments, and public infrastructure. The topic closely relates to broader developments in architecture, particularly research-driven approaches such as evidence-based design and neuroscience in architecture.
About the Event
The breakfast conversation marks the launch of the ANFA × DIALOG learning series titled Designing for Human Experience. The series will explore how neuroscience research and environmental psychology can help architects and planners better understand how people interact with buildings and urban spaces.
Participants will discuss how metrics related to human experience—such as comfort, cognitive engagement, productivity, and emotional response—are becoming valuable indicators in the evaluation of built environments. These metrics are increasingly influencing design strategies and development decisions within both private and public sector projects.
Speakers
- David Kirsh – Cognitive Scientist, University of California San Diego / ANFA. His research examines how people think and make decisions in complex environments and how those insights can inform spatial design.
- Julia del Río – Architect, PhD candidate, and ANFA Advisory Council member, focusing on integrating evidence-based insights into architectural practice.
- Nour Tawil – Architect and scientist at the Center for Environmental Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, bridging environmental psychology research with real-world design applications.
- Russell Whitehead – Senior Vice President of Development Strategy and Consulting at CBRE Canada, providing a real estate perspective on the growing importance of experience metrics in building portfolios.
- Susan Carter – Designer and Partner at DIALOG and Doctor of Design candidate, working on large-scale mixed-use developments and connecting neuroscience research with design practice.
Event Details
| Date | March 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM (Mountain Time) |
| Location | DIALOG Calgary Studio, 300, 134–11 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Format | Hybrid: In-person breakfast event (limited seating) and livestream option |
| Fees | Registration required (pricing varies depending on attendance type) |
| Organizer | DIALOG in collaboration with the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) |
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The event “Why Human Experience Metrics Matter” emphasizes the growing role of neuroscience and environmental psychology in shaping architectural and urban design. It explores how metrics such as comfort, cognitive engagement, productivity, and emotional response can measure the impact of built environments on people. The discussion highlights a shift toward human-centered design, showing how architects and developers can leverage scientific insights to create spaces that enhance well-being, support behavioral needs, and improve the effectiveness of buildings across sectors.
Conclusion
“Why Human Experience Metrics Matter” highlights a growing shift within architecture and real estate toward designing environments that prioritize human well-being and behavioral insight. By combining scientific research with professional design practice, the event encourages a deeper understanding of how built environments influence the people who use them—and how architects can design spaces that truly support human experience.
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