Short answer

When designing learning spaces, consider using wood or red brick in areas intended for brainstorming or creative tasks, and opt for concrete or white paint in zones requiring intense focus and concentration.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Buildings (2025)
Method: Experimental (VR Simulation)
Sample: 46 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

The visual perception of building materials significantly influences emotional states and cognitive functions, with wood and red brick promoting creativity and positive emotions, while concrete and white paint enhance focus and rational thinking. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Buildings. Using Experimental (vr simulation) with 46 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing learning spaces, consider using wood or red brick in areas intended for brainstorming or creative tasks, and opt for concrete or white paint in zones requiring intense focus and concentration.

Study

Human FactorsNew This WeekStrong effect

Wood and Red Brick Enhance Creativity; Concrete and White Paint Boost Focus in Learning Environments

Buildings · 2025

Key Findings

01Wood and red brick materials significantly enhanced emotional states, leading to relaxation, positive experiences, and increased creativity.
02Concrete and white paint materials improved cognitive functioning, promoting emotional stability, rational thinking, enhanced focus, and educational efficiency.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or renovating educational facilities, consider incorporating a variety of materials. For example, use wood accents in common areas to promote well-being and focus on concrete or white surfaces in lecture halls for optimal concentration.

Project actions

01When researching user preferences, consider how the visual properties of materials might influence their emotional and cognitive responses.
02If your design project involves creating a specific atmosphere or supporting a particular activity, think about how material choices can contribute to that goal.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the effects of visually perceiving different building materials on human emotional states and cognitive functions within a simulated learning environment.

MethodExperimental (VR Simulation)

ProcedureParticipants experienced virtual learning environments clad in different materials (red brick, concrete, wood, white paint). Their eye movements, bioelectrical responses, and self-reported emotions were recorded and analyzed.

Sample46 participants

ContextPhysical learning environments (simulated)

Variables

IV["Type of building material (red brick, concrete, wood, white paint)"]

DV["Emotional states (e.g., relaxation, positive experience, creativity)","Cognitive functioning (e.g., focus, rational thinking, educational efficiency)"]

CV["Learning environment setting (simulated via VR)","Types of tasks performed (implied by learning environment context)","Measurement methods (eye tracking, bioelectrical responses, questionnaires)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilized objective measures (eye tracking, bioelectrical responses) alongside subjective self-reports.
+Employed VR simulation to control environmental variables and allow for material substitution.

Limitations

The findings are based on a simulated environment and a specific set of materials; real-world application might vary due to other environmental factors and individual differences.

Reliability & validity

The use of multiple measurement methods (objective and subjective) enhances the validity of the findings. Reliability would be strengthened by replication with larger and more diverse samples.

Think critically

How might cultural backgrounds or personal experiences with certain materials alter the observed effects on emotional and cognitive states?

Design Principles

"The visual characteristics of architectural materials directly influence user psychology and cognitive performance; select materials to align with the intended function and desired user experience of a space."

Understanding how different materials impact users' psychological and cognitive states is crucial for designing effective spaces. This insight allows designers to intentionally select materials to support specific activities and desired user outcomes, moving beyond purely aesthetic considerations.

What This Means for Your Design

Different building materials make people feel and think differently. Wood and brick make you feel good and creative, while concrete and white paint help you focus better.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the rationale behind your material choices, particularly if your design aims to influence user emotions or cognitive states.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The selection of building materials can significantly impact user experience, influencing both emotional states and cognitive functions. Research indicates that materials like wood and red brick foster creativity and positive emotions, while concrete and white paint enhance focus and efficiency. This suggests that designers should strategically choose materials to support the intended activities and desired user outcomes within a given space.

Source

Buildings

Effects of Visual Perception of Building Materials on Human Emotional States and Cognitive Functioning in a Physical Learning Environment

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about wood and red brick enhance creativity; concrete and white paint boost focus in learning environments?: When designing learning spaces, consider using wood or red brick in areas intended for brainstorming or creative tasks, and opt for concrete or white paint in zones requiring intense focus and concentration. Evidence: Buildings (2025).
Why does "Wood and Red Brick Enhance Creativity; Concrete and White Paint Boost Focus in Learning Environments" matter for design?: Understanding how different materials impact users' psychological and cognitive states is crucial for designing effective spaces. This insight allows designers to intentionally select materials to support specific activities and desired user outcomes, moving beyond purely aesthetic considerations.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing learning spaces, consider using wood or red brick in areas intended for brainstorming or creative tasks, and opt for concrete or white paint in zones requiring intense focus and concentration.
What were the main findings?: Wood and red brick materials significantly enhanced emotional states, leading to relaxation, positive experiences, and increased creativity.. Concrete and white paint materials improved cognitive functioning, promoting emotional stability, rational thinking, enhanced focus, and educational efficiency.
What research method was used?: Experimental (VR Simulation) with 46 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Buildings.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or renovating educational facilities, consider incorporating a variety of materials. For example, use wood accents in common areas to promote well-being and focus on concrete or white surfaces in lecture halls for optimal concentration.
What are the limitations?: The study was conducted in a VR simulation, which may not fully replicate the sensory experience of real-world environments. The sample size, while adequate for initial findings, could be expanded for broader generalizability.