Decoding Design: Activating Health & Wellbeing through Architecture & Interiors
March 11, 2025
About the event: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently proposed a Health and Wellbeing policy to its code of ethics and professional conduct to recognize the research-based relationship of architecture’s impact on human health and wellbeing. Join us to hear from two thought leaders in the emerging field of neuroaesthetics who will each explain their research and findings, and describe the interactions of our “ancient” brain wiring, our neurotransmitters, our nervous systems, and the universal appeal of achieving homeostasis in our public and private spaces. In conversation with the Denver Architecture Foundation’s CEO Meg Touborg, designers and authors Lisa Staprans and Don Ruggles will assert how the alchemy of geometric patterns, architectural shapes, space planning, light, and furniture can activate health and wellbeing.
About Lisa Staprans: From her design studio in the Bay area, Lisa Staprans creates private and public spaces that are highly, quietly luxurious, and express the soul of design to transform and heal lives through beauty and intention. The focus of her design work is rooted in how beauty comes into our brain and body, and creates a response that impacts our well-being, profoundly. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her work in her field. Travel allows Lisa to connect with history, culture, and people. Wherever she is, finding her way to the makers of beautiful things is essential. Lisa started her speaking career with a TedTALK in Jaipur, India and has participated on panels with luminaries in the fields of design and neuroscience. Lisa has participated in 100k ultra-races in some of the most beautiful and remote places in the world, and even completed in a 132 mile endurance cycling event through the California alps. She is the author of The Soul of Design: The Neuroscience of Beauty (2024.)
About Don Ruggles: Don is a member of the AIA and is CEO Emeritus of Ruggles Lindemann Bell, an architecture and interior design firm based in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to the idea that beauty can improve the lives of its clients. Don is also the author of the book Beauty, Neuroscience & Architecture (2017) which was awarded the Independent Publishers Bronze Medal (2019) and Executive Producer of the full-length documentary movie Built Beautiful (2020). Don serves on the Board of Directors of The Human Architecture & Planning Institute, the Building Beautiful Institute and the Board of Advisors of the College of Architecture & Planning at the University of Colorado Denver where he is the Director of Classical Architecture Studies.
About Meg Touborg: Meg is an executive and entrepreneur in the fields of fashion, architecture, design, and nonprofit education and has been at the helm of the Denver Architecture Foundation since 2024. Throughout her career, Meg has proven herself as a skilled and visionary leader with a first-hand understanding of how to grow the impact of an organization.
Accessibility: Guests will be able to access the second floor via the elevator during the event.
Student Tickets: Student tickets must be purchased using an active student/school email address.
Agenda:
4:30 p.m. – Please join Workspace Resource and Adorn teams for an informal tour of their showroom and light refreshments.
5:00 p.m.– Program begins, followed by Q+A
6:00 p.m. – “The Soul of Design” will be available for sale and personalization by author Lisa Staprans
7:00 p.m. – Evening concludes