On Neuroscience & Architecture @Casa_Pedregal, built in Mexico City between 1947-1950, was designed by Luis Barragán, the revolutionary Mexican architect. The house is owned by C.G. Cervantes, who sold his entire art collection in order to restore Casa Pedregal and to build @Tetetlan; a marvelous cultural center. @LuisBarragan mastered light, shapes and colors. His "emotional architecture" supported introspection & spiritual awakening. NeuroArchitecture is a field that investigates how architecture impacts human perception. Visual processing is linked to many cognitive functions, so all the characteristics in our environment influence the way we think, feel and behave, both consciously & unconsciously. Different visual features activate diverse brain areas and pathways; for example, our brains respond differently to curve vs. firm Iines. Barragán’s designs invites natural light into the spaces through large windows. Light and darkness trigger the release of hormones in the brain; exposure to sunlight increases serotonin release, which is associated with boosting our mood, and darkness triggers melatonin synthesis, which is related to sleep and syncs our internal circadian clock with the outside world. The duality in Barragán's work and his modernistic use of light & shadow demonstrate his understanding of the human mind & soul. Within the walls of Pedregal one can connect with the deepest desires of the subconscious mind, which is the source of all great creativity. The large open spaces with high ceilings give a sense of a holy destination that lifts the eyes & soul. "The cathedral effect" explains how specific visual properties produce different cognitive processing; open spaces with high ceilings yield abstract creative thinking, while smaller environments with lower ceilings induce a detail-oriented analytic approach. Barragán merged urban concepts with natural elements. The house sits on volcanic rocks and is surrounded by stone walls and plants, which provide senses of privacy, boundaries and freedom. Neuroscientifically, and also intuitively, nature has profound effects on our health & well being, inside-out. Hasta 120 @cesarcervantest