MOVING BOUNDARIES AMARES - Spring 2025 – COURSE AND RETREAT

The 5th Edition of the Moving Boundaries Course in Neuroscience, Environmental Psychology and Architecture features a new retreat format in beautiful rural Portugal, with presentations by faculty and participants, discussions, workshops, communal meals, morning walks, social activities and tours.

Course Topics include: Neurodiversity and body conscious design; multisensory perception in architecture and design; dynamic experience; architectural atmospheres and mood; evidence based design and implications of design for human health; rhythm and resonance; enriched and restorative environments, to name only a few. New research will be presented by architects, scientists, biologists, sociologists, environmental psychologists and health professionals.

The program begins on Saturday, March 22 in Amares, Minho region of Portugal, with its famous landscapes and rich history of vernacular architecture alongside outstanding modern architecture and design. During this retreat, participants and faculty will collaborate on a publication. All are invited to present work in interactive morning sessions. In addition to our usual activities, we will enjoy poetry readings, sketching sessions, and film screenings in the evenings. Contributions of all attendees will be included in the publication MBX Manifesto: Design for Health and Wellbeing.

Lectures and debates will be augmented with workshops and afternoon tours. One field trip early in the course will take us to see modern architecture designed by Alvaro Siza in Minho, followed by visits in the park and wine region. A second field trip in Porto will give us an opportunity to experience this magical city, its Ribeira, Foz and Matosinhos districts, as well as architecture built in the last two years.

In addition to architecture created by Siza, we will experience influential work by Eduardo Souto de Moura, while living together in his award-winning Pousada Amares, the restored Monastery Santa Maria do Bouro. Moving Boundaries Amares will end on Sunday, March 30th with a farewell lunch and panel discussions with participants.

Contact Us: movingboundaries2024@gmail.com