The Nucleus for Neuroarchitecture Enquiry and Social Projects (NNESP) is a group formed by our students and alumni who come together with the goal of developing volunteer projects around the world, applying the principles of neuroarchitecture to promote positive social impact.
The purpose of this initiative is to offer participants a hands-on experience in applying neuroscience to the built environment, under the supervision of Andréa de Paiva, while deepening their knowledge in the field.
NUCLEUS FOR NEUROARCHITECTURE ENQUIRY AND SOCIAL PROJECTS
The initiative is already underway with its first projects simultaneously
Community Space in Fumso Ketewa, Ghana
In partnership with Tropenbos Ghana and the local community, the first international edition of the NNESP focuses on co-designing and building a small pilot community space in Fumso Ketewa, located in the Adansi Asokwa District of the Ashanti Region. The project strengthens ongoing restoration and agroforestry initiatives led by Tropenbos Ghana and supported by the Community Resource Management Committee (CRMC), which mobilizes farmers, women, and youth to protect local natural resources.
The pilot aims to transform an existing building or outdoor area into a multifunctional space for farmer training, women’s group meetings, youth activities, and CRMC gatherings. By integrating science-informed design and human-centric design, the project seeks to enhance comfort, learning, wellbeing, and social connection.
Through an inclusive, participatory process, the initiative fosters collaboration, place-attachment, and collective ownership, while demonstrating how neuroarchitecture and science-informed design can support sustainability, cognitive well-being, and community cohesion in a rural Ghanaian context.
With the participation of 29 NeuroAU students and alumni, the pilot will generate valuable educational, scientific, and social insights, offering a model that can be adapted and replicated in other restoration communities across the Ashanti Region and beyond.
Local Partnership
and Implementation
Kwame Sekyere
%2010.png)
Project manager at Tropenbos Ghana. He leads community focused forest and landscape restoration projects and works closely with local groups to strengthen governance and improve livelihoods. He has over ten years of experience in environmental conservation
Non profit organization committed to sustainable forest and landscape management. Working in Ghana since 2001, it supports ecosystem restoration, climate smart agriculture and community empowerment through research, training and policy engagement.
Coordination and Organization
Andréa
de Paiva
From Brazil
Neuroarchitecture Specialist, Founder of NeuroAU, and Advisor to the ANFA (Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture)
Julie Anna
Salavová
From Czech Republic
Residential Architect
Narimen
Draouil
From Turkey
Interior Architect, Specialist
in Biophilic design, Neurodiversity and Neurourbanism
and Urban planner
Alexandra Coppieters
From Belgium
Interior Architect (Commercial, Corporate and Residential),
Specialist in Mental Health and Habitat Therapy
Oumaima
Jerbi
From Tunisia
Architect (Commercial, Corporate, Residential and Hospitality architecture)
Chrisa Assimopoulos
From Canada
Architect (Commercial, Corporate and Residential)
and Urban planner
Sachiko
Kiyooka
From Canada
Feng Shui practitioner and Professional organizer,
Specialist in Biophilic design, Neurodiversity and
Residential Project
Students and Alumni involved
%20-%20alan%20pullman.jpg)
Alan
Pullman
From California
Architect (Commercial, Corporate, Residential and Hospitality architecture)
Chrisa Assimopoulos
From Canada
Architect (Commercial, Corporate and Residential)
and Urban planner
Emma
Webb
From Ireland
Interior Designer, Specialist in Biophilic design and Residential Project
Karin
Gresse
From Belgium
Interior Designer and Psychologist, Specialist in Biophilic design, Spaces for mourning, Longevity
and Mental health
Alexandra Coppieters
From Belgium
Interior Architect (Commercial, Corporate and Residential),
Specialist in Mental Health and Habitat Therapy
Christel
Boulanger
From Luxembourg
Interior Designer
(Residential, Mental health, Nursery)
Emilie
Gonnot
From Canada
Space and custom furniture designer (Corporate and Residential)
Katarina
Trapp
From Norway
Architect (Hospital design)
Marina
Oltra
From Spain
Interior Designer
(Residential)
Sachiko
Kiyooka
From Canada
Feng Shui practitioner and Professional organizer,
Specialist in Biophilic design, Neurodiversity and
Residential Project
Silvia
Canteri
From Italy
Architect (Commercial
and Residential)
Narimen
Draouil
From Turkey
Interior Architect, Specialist
in Biophilic design, Neurodiversity and Neurourbanism
and Urban planner
Sana Shokrollahi
From Dubai
Architect (Corporate, Residential and Urban planning)
Tahra
Nour
From Belgium
Interior Architect
(Corporate, Residential and Urban planning)
%20-.jpg)
Alexandra
Kelleter
From Luxembourg
Residential Architect,
Specialist Neurodiversity
Christian
Garcia
From Oklahoma
Architect (Commercial, Residential and Sustainability)
Jasmina
Dragisic
From Switzerland
Architect and Interior Designer,
Specialist in Longevity, Mental health Neurodiversity, and Healthcare
Linda
den Otter
From Netherlands
Multi sensory Experience designer for brands + spaces to facilitair human betings to "breath" again
Olga Chalkidou
From Greece
Interior Designer and Engineer, Project Management
Sara
Stoll
From Sweden
Architect and
Urban planner
Tristan
Sykes
From USA
Architect (Education and Civic)
Caitlin
Turner
From USA
Architect and Interior Designer (Commercial, Corporate and
Healthcare Design)
Divyani
Deokar
From India
Architect (Commercial, Corporate, and Residential)
Julie Anna
Salavová
From Czech Republic
Residential Architect
Margaret
Krawecka
From Poland
Architect, Interior Designer and Scenographer (Biophilic design, Mental health,
Neurodiversity, Commercial and Residential)
Oumaima
Jerbi
From Tunisia
Architect (Commercial, Corporate, Residential and Hospitality architecture)
Shubhangi
From India
Landscape Architect and Researcher, Specialist in Biophilic design, Mental health and Ecological restoration / Climate-responsive design
Valesa Petkova
From Italy
Architect, Masters Student in Architecture and Urban design
Virginie
Wiacek
From Belgium
Neuro-architecture, Feng Shui Consultant and Biophilic design Residential
Travessia Eco-Poá in São Paulo, Brazil
The first project of the volunteer program in Brazil focuses on the urban revitalization of the Travessia Eco-Poá and the nearby bus stop, both located in Taboão da Serra, São Paulo.
The project is carried out in partnership with the Taboão da Serra City Hall, the Casa do Adolescente (Adolescent House), and Mamilos da Terra. It involves the participation of the local community, which already sporadically uses the space for planting and various activities.
The revitalization of the Travessia seeks to transform the area to promote urban sustainability and inclusion, restore collective well-being and a sense of belonging among residents, and thus bring life, movement, and safety to a location that is currently underutilized.
This project is a meeting point involving 11 people (NeuroAU students and alumni) and connects individuals from different regions and backgrounds around a common purpose: using design and applied neuroscience in architecture to improve the lives of the people in the region.
Local Partnership
and Implementation
%2012_15_44_8f949014.jpg)
Andréa Muscat
Permaculturist, Architect, and Urban Planner at the Taboão da Serra City Hall's Secretariat of Environment
%2010.jpg)
Carla Borges
Social Worker for 18 years at the Taboão da Serra City Hall/SP, founder and director of the Center for Adolescent Health Care (C.A.S.A)
Mirian Steinberg
Environmentalist, Artivist with Master's research in Arts at UNESP, and Music Therapist. Participates in ABNT research on Nature-Based Solutions
Coordination and Organization
Andréa de Paiva
Neuroarchitecture Specialist, Founder of NeuroAU, and Advisor to the ANFA (Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture)
Vitória Quintella
Architect and Interior Designer specialized in Psychoarchitecture and a NeuroAU student and team member
Students and Alumni involved
%20-%20Adriana%20Yosimura_edited.png)
Adriana
Yosimura
Architect specialized in Ergonomics, Biophilic Design, Neuroarchitecture, and Mental Health
Alejandra
Kahn
Engineer and Interior Designer specialized in Mental Health and Neurodiversity
Camila Lima
Pires
Technical Consultant in BIM for Architecture and Interior Design
Fátima
Dionizio
Interior Designer specialized in Biophilic Design, Neuroarchitecture, and Mental Health
Hebe
Arruda
Interior Designer specialized in Salutogenic Design, Biophilic Design, and
Mental Health
Isadora Louise
de Assis Campos
Architect and Urban Planner specialized in Biophilic Design and Professor at Centro Universitário Una
Juliana
Schuck
Architect and Urban Planner specialized in Biophilic Design and Mental Health
Kátia A.
de Siqueira
Interior Designer specialized in Biophilic Design, Neurodiversity, and
Mental Health
Regina Maria
Meletti Barbosa
Architect and Urban Planner specialized in Neuroarchitecture and Neurodiversity.
Rose
Comin
Interior Designer specialized in Biophilic Design
Vitória
Quintella
Architect and Interior Designer specialized in Psychoarchitecture and a NeuroAU student and
team member