SHELTER FOR VULNERABLE MINORS. NEUROARCHITECTURE AS A SUPPORTIVE MEDIA

Abstract

This work aimed to demonstrate how a shelter for children and adolescents in situations of vulnerability can be designed in a welcoming way, contributing to the reduction of emotional impacts associated with the experience of trauma. The project was based on the principles of neuroarchitecture, a field that studies the influence of built environments on the human brain, proposing that consciously planned spaces can generate positive effects on individual behavior and well-being.Starting from the premise that architecture can support the process of emotional healing, the project sought to promote a sense of care, safety, learning, sociability, belonging, and the preservation of individuality within a collective living environment. It argued that cold, hostile, and depersonalized spaces tend to reinforce defense mechanisms in sheltered children and adolescents, hindering the reconstruction of self-esteem and trust in others. Conversely, an environment carefully designed through the lens of neuroarchitecture has the potential to break down initial emotional barriers, providing effective support for the psychological and social development of young people.