Overview
Overview
Global Symposium and Course: Human Sciences and The Future of Architecture
October 2026 Japan
Hosted at the Kyoto International Community House
DATES
Option 1: October 12-16, 2026
Part 1: 5 Days in Kyoto
MB JAPAN IS SOLD OUT in person
You may join remotely. All lectures and panel discussions will be livestreamed each day. You will also have access to video recordings for 6 months after the program ends.
Option 2: October 12-20, 2026
Parts 1 + Part 2: 5 Days in Kyoto + 3.5 days on
Teshima/Naoshima - ISLAND RETREAT IS SOLD OUT in person
You may livestream lectures and discussions or have access to video recordings for 6 months after the program ends.
Optional Add-On: Experience the world-famous Kurama Fire Festival on October 22, for a memorable MB "After-Party".
ADD-ON TICKETS
If you are joining MB Japan in person, you may purchase
tickets for your add-on experiences below.
Select one or more buttons to get your ticket(s)
If you would like to join the program remotely, please follow the link below.
Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Sociology, and Environmental Psychology Applied to Design:
A Global Symposium
and Course in Japan
Produced by Moving Boundaries
Exploring Life-Centered Architecture and Landscape Design in Kyoto and the Art Islands: Teshima and Naoshima
Who is this program for?
Architects, interior designers, urban designers and landscape architects, environmental psychologists, sociologists, neuroscientists and cognitive scientists, psychoanalysts, philosophers, health professionals, consultants, artists, scholars, community builders, policymakers, educators and graduate students interested in interdisciplinary topics investigated at MB and practical applications in design. We will be joined by practicing professionals, educators and researchers from more than 25 countries.
What is included?
- Lectures and Masterclasses (12 faculty)
- Panel Discussions and Q&A
- Hands-On Experiences
- Networking Sessions
- Small-Group Conversations Facilitated by Faculty and Colleagues; Reflection
- Opportunity to Present to Your Peers
- Immersive Experiences in Kyoto
- Social events and special meals
- Welcome lunch celebration in Kyoto
- Expert-led Tours: Visit temples, shrines, ancient Zen gardens and modern masterpieces by Tadao Ando, Pritzker-Prize winning Japanese architect based in Osaka, and other architects
- Receive a Certificate of Completion hand-signed by the MB Chairs
- Diverse resources for preparation before the program and copies of abstracts, presentation files, notes and recordings of all lectures after the program
- Course brochure and yearbook with biographies and contacts of all colleagues
Program Summary
The Moving Boundaries Global Symposium and Course in Japan scheduled for October 2026 is sold out. The Program will take place between October 12-16 in Kyoto, Japan and it will continue as a retreat on the two "Art Islands", Teshima and Naoshima, between October 18-19. We will live for several days in Kyoto, and after we will travel to the islands, to stay on Teshima Island, where we will be immersed in nature and sacred history and rituals. We will be joined by 11 global experts in human sciences, cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, health disciplines, architecture, architectural history and theory, philosophy, urban and landscape design, and in design of sacred spaces and gardens. In addition to faculty experts, including local specialists from Japan, we will be joined by participants from multiple disciplines, from more than 25 countries. Topics Include: Neurophenomenology; Memory and placemaking; Mirror neurons and empathy in design; Restorative places for human health and wellbeing; Somatic design; Body-conscious design; Forest bathing and the 7 Strategies of landscape design for health; Wayfinding and navigation; Grounding in nature; Spiritual architecture and design for the 21st Century - learning from ancient wisdom; Bridging human sciences and design; Neuroaesthetics; Biophilic design and more. Lodging will be in central Kyoto and in several hotels and BnB's on Teshima Island, near the sea. Participants will book their lodging directly with the hotel (or Airbnb) according to their preferences. There will be an all-day field trip, by ferry, on Naoshima Island, where we will visit several museums designed by Tadao Ando. In addition to studying at the interface of human sciences, design and health (as is the custom at MB), we will also experience local rituals, history, cuisine, arts, craft, nature immersion, and tours throughout the 9-day course, conference and retreat. All participants will be invited to submit an abstract for the symposium and to contribute to the post-conference publication. See this web page, below, for the daily schedule, list of confirmed faculty members, lecture abstracts, and the list of tours and immersive experiences. Also follow MB in social media for updates: @movingboundaries (Instagram) Moving Boundaries Collaborative (LinkedIn)
Part 1
Neurophenomenology of Place: Design for Health and Wellbeing
Human Sciences and the Future of Architecture and Landscape Design
Tuition Prices for
Remote Attendance: Please see ticket links at the bottom of this page
OPTION 1: Part 1 in Kyoto (5 days)
October 12-16, 2026
Free Time: Afternoon of October 13 (after 3:00pm) and on October 17
MB Japan is sold out for in-person attendance.
Join us remotely.
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Part 1 of MB Global Symposium and Course (5 Days)
Venues: Kyoto International Community House and Goethe Institut (Kamogawa Villa)
October 12-16, 2026 Sold Out for in-person attendance
Topics: Neurophenomenology; Memory and placemaking; Mirror neurons and empathy in design; Restorative places for human health and wellbeing; Somatic design; Body-conscious design; Forest bathing and the 7 Strategies of landscape design for health; Wayfinding and navigation; Grounding in nature; Spiritual architecture and design for the 21st Century - learning from ancient wisdom; Bridging human sciences and design.
MB Japan Faculty: We are delighted and honored to host top experts in architecture and human sciences. Participants are also invited to present during (selected) sessions. You may submit your abstract after you register for the program.
Program
October 11 (Pre-MB Day)
Early evening gathering at 5pm on October 11: Pre-MB get together at central location to be announced two days earlier.
October 12 (Day 1)
Session: Rethinking the Brain–Body Connection in the Built Environment: Learning to Design for Health
The first session of Moving Boundaries will focus on evidence-based design for health. Farrow and Valentine will lecture on salutogenic design, showing projects around the world and telling us about strategies for combining
research and practice. Analysis of case studies and a conversation with the audience will follow.
The joint lecture by Farrow and Valentine will be followed by a talk by Kurimoto, about how the scenery of a Japanese garden functions as a psychological catalyst, asking the observer to see beyond the surface. This lecture will examine the Japanese view of nature and its historical manifestations in garden design. It will be followed by commentary from Frederick Marks. Kurimoto will demonstrate ideas from his talk during on-site visits in historic gardens of Kyoto the next day.
Check-In at the Venue at 9:00am - Arrive between 8:45 and 9:15am to check in and receive your name badge, meet your colleagues, and enter the MB conference room by 9:50am.
Welcome Speeches at 10:00am - Kyoto International Community House
Lectures 1-2 at 11:00am - Tye Farrow and Cleo Valentine
“From Pathogenesis to Salutogenesis: Rethinking the Brain–Body Connection
in the Built Environment”
Lunch in the neighborhood; Networking Session
Eat lunch with your discussion group
Followed by Panel Discussion and Q&A
Lecture 3 - Takaya Kurimoto
"The Inner Landscape of the Japanese Mind as Reflected
in Japanese Gardens"
October 13 (Day 2)
On this second day of MB in Kyoto, we will begin the day with visits to two temples and gardens. After tours, we invite the entire audience to join us for a complimentary Welcome Lunch, in one of the best restaurants in the city.
Morning Temple Visits: Eikan-do Temple; Ginkaku-ji Temple
Guided by Takaya Kurimoto and Masa Fujiwara
Between the two visits: group walk and conversation along the Philosopher's Path
WELCOME LUNCH (complimentary)
Kyoto City Center 1:30-3:30pm
FREE TIME in the city after 3:30pm
October 14 (Day 3)
Session: Practical Strategies for Bridging Neuroarchitecture Research and Practice: Challenges of Cross-Disciplinary Work
The second MB session will focus on bridging neuroarchitecture research and practice: Nanda and Chatterjee will offer perspectives from decades of experience at the intersection of disciplines. They will offer strategies for design, education and advocacy and they will engage the audience in a discussion about challenges of contemporary cross-disciplinary work. The professors will also discuss ways to think about the relationship between neuroscience and architecture and the complicated term "neuroarchitecture". Open discussion with the entire audience will follow.
Morning Temple Visits: Daitoku-ji Temple Complex
Zuiho-in guided by Masa Fujiwara
Tea session and group discussions
Lunch on one's own
Lecture 4 - Anjan Chatterjee
"The Neuroaesthetics of the Built Environment"
Lecture 5 - Upali Nanda
"Bridging Neuroarchitecture Research and Practice"
followed by Panel Discussion and Q&A
October 15 (Day 4)
Session: Restorative Design: How Environments Shape Cognitive, Affective and Physiological Restoration
The day will begin with workshops and participants' presentations in the conference room and outside the venue. In the third session, Olszewska will present restorative design as a bridge between these spatial traditions and emerging research in neuroscience. Together we will explore how environments shape cognitive, affective, and physiological restoration. Robinson’s remote lecture will illuminate Japanese spatial concepts and their possible interpretation in contemporary design practice.
Lecture 5 - Natalia Olszewska
"Restorative Design: From Cultural Intuition to Scientific Evidence"
Lecture 6 - Sarah Robinson (remote)
"Japanese Gardens and Felt Space"
followed by Panel Discussion and Q&A
October 16 (Day 5)
Session: Conversation about Special Nature of Japanese Space, at the Interface of Philosophy, Psychology, Cognitive Science and Architecture: Philosophy of "Nothingness"
Hosted at the Goethe Institut in Kyoto (Kamogawa Villa)
The fourth session of Moving Boundaries will be developed at the interface of psychology, philosophy, sociology, architecture, and psychiatry. There is a wisdom to be found in philosophies of ‘nothingness’ such as those developed by the Kyoto School. They invite us to approach architecture not as an exterior structure but as a field of lived relations, and space as something that shapes us as much as we shape it.
Morning Temple Visits: Tenryu-ji Temple and Garden; Myoshin-ji Temple
Ryoan-ji Temple (unstructured and self-guided)
Lunch on one's own - recommended: visit a restaurant near the Villa
Conversation 8 - David Dorenbaum and Ryōsuke Ōhashi (and guests)
at Kamogawa Villa in central Kyoto
“The Kyoto School of Philosophy, Architecture and The Space of Mind”
followed by Panel Discussion and Q&A, Open discussion with the audience
After participants' presentations, we will celebrate together the end of Part 1 of MB Japan. Certificates will be handed out to colleagues who complete the program today.
Evening: Free time and pack for trip to the Art Islands on Oct.17
Faculty
(Faculty roster subject to change)
Team
Ana Mirea
Designer,
London, UK
Disha Singh
PhD Scholar, Academic,
Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, India
Egor Korshunov
Game Developer, Technical Artist
Budapest, Hungary
Elena Pavlova
Architect and Interior Designer,
Moscow, Russia
Gergely Hory
PhD., Architect, Asst. professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary
Júlia de Oliveira Rosa
Architect and Designer
Collaborator at ROSA Arquitetura
Joinville, Brazil
Pooja Vajjha
Architect, Academic,
PhD Scholar, India
Valentina Fesenko
Architect, DLA/PhD candidate Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
Team
Participants
Join us online
Get our Livestream Pass and have Remote Access to the Lectures
MB Japan is Sold Out for in-person attendance. We offer a remote ticket for only $250 USD to help you join the MB Japan Global Symposium and Online Course in October 2026.
You can get your ticket instantly by clicking on the button:
What’s included:
- Live access to all lectures during 6 days, from October 12-19, 2026 (except free day and the 'travel days');
- Realtime captioning and translation of zoom into multiple languages;
- Live access to Q&A and Panel Discussions
- Pre-Course Remote Meeting scheduled for early Fall 2026, for all remote participants; Facilitated by course director and selected faculty members
- Post-Symposium free access, with your own password, to recorded sessions (videos) for 6 months after the program ends;
- Digital Certificate of Participation signed by MB director and faculty, emailed to you after the Symposium
- Access to the MB Online Campus Library; Access to MB Alumni Free Resources
- Access to Webinar Series before and after the MB Japan Course
- Access to the Community Forum for the MB Japan Online Course;
- Access to a curated digital resource pack from the speakers, including lecture abstracts, proceedings, and authors' information
Who is this for?
Architects, designers, scientists, health professionals, artists, historians, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, landscape designers, educators, students and others who cannot attend MB Japan in person, in October '26, but want to join the lectures and conversations remotely. In addition, you will have access to a variety of free resources and to video recordings of all lectures and discussions, for 6 months after the course ends. Everyone will receive a signed Certificate of Completion.
About prices:
We now offer a special discounted price for MB Japan remote. The ticket is $250 USD.