Meredith BANASIAK
I develop strategies for routinely measuring and improving health, access and performance in built environments, by bringing research tools to designers and clients to empower them to do science in their own buildings; increasing access to relevant scientific findings and research concepts for global audiences; and raising awareness about person-place interactions among all building occupants.
People + Place. My background in archeology helped me to understand connections between people and place. Archeology is really just doing architecture in reverse order: archeologists study physical artifacts and building ruins to understand the people and the cultures who built them. Architects study people to understand what physical environments can best support their behaviors and cultures.
Neuroscience + Architecture. After earning my professional degree in Architecture, I joined the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) where I trained in a neuroscience laboratory at George Mason University, and developed workshops bringing together architects and neuroscientists to cultivate a new discipline. Neuroscience evidence helps us understand how our brains and behaviors are influenced by the built environment. By applying this knowledge to design, we can create places which promote health, wellbeing, performance and inclusivity.
Science-informed Design + Innovation. Currently, I am Director of Research for BA/Science, a research and innovation group under Boulder Associates Architects, a healthcare design firm. In this role, I develop research partnerships with healthcare organizations to help them move towards a data driven future, innovate novel methods for collecting and mapping data, and translate evidence with design teams to optimize design.
Interests
Research for Practice; Exposomics; Data-driven design; Health; Neuroarchitecture; Micro-learning; RTLS; Healthcare Design; Trauma-responsive design; Neurodiversity