On May 4-5, 2024 I had the honor of delivering a keynote address at the Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture conference in Oslo, Norway titled “Beauty and the Brain: Reconsidering the Role of Ornament in Architecture.” Below is a description of the presentation, photos, and links to watch the address.

ABSTRACT: This presentation endeavors to dismantle the myth propagated by Adolf Loos that ornament is a criminal element in architecture. By diving into various related concepts, we aim to reveal the significant role ornamentation plays in architectural design. Our exploration will encompass an examination of the aesthetic impact of beauty on the human brain by probing into the realm of fractals and their captivating properties. As fractals exhibit measurable dimensions and qualities that attract human cognition on conscious and unconscious levels, we contemplate whether similar effects arise from viewing architectural patterns and ornamentation that can potentially reduce stress and improve health. Investigating how the human brain—particularly in its pre-attentive phase of vision—responds to architectural details, we draw the conclusion that the aesthetic experience of beauty enriches cognitive processes. Contrary to the notion that “less is more,” we assert that ornamentation holds inherent value that is intertwined with mathematical proportions, geometries, and fractal patterns. As a result, we challenge the notion that employing ornamentation in architecture constitutes a crime. Instead, ornament plays a critical role in the aesthetic experience of beauty and can have positive effects on human health and well-being.

VIDEO PRESENTATION:

CITATION: Brandon R. Ro,”Beauty and the Brain: Reconsidering the Role of Ornament in Architecture.” Keynote address presented at the 2024 Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture Conference, Oslo, Norway, May 4-5, 2024. Available online: https://youtu.be/pQYaUa6pYOU?si=kzfESPAFMwAmIkfh