Designing the Environment to Care for the Child: From the Delivery Room to the Classroom

Titolo Rivista PNEI REVIEW
Autori/Curatori Silvia Moneti
Pubblicazione Online First 16/10/2026 Fascicolo 2026/Online First
Lingua Inglese Numero pagine 14 P. 1-14 Dimensione file 0 KB
DOI 10.3280/pnei2026oa23954
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This contribution draws upon the concepts developed in the volume ArchiTherapeia. The Influence of Architecture on the Mind–Body PsychoNeuroEndocrineImmune (PNEI) System by Silvia Moneti, teacher architect, and holder of a Master’s degree in PsychoNeuroEndocrineImmunology and Integrated Care Science. The topics addressed herein were further explored during the SIPNEI–ELCA (Early Life, Childhood and Adolescence) precongress meeting, held in Rome on 23 May 2026 and dedicated to the theme Changing in Order Not to Succumb: Supporting Developmental Crises Through Resources and Opportunities. Through a review of the scientific literature, this article examines the role of the built environment as a determinant of health and child development. The evidence reviewed demonstrates that specific design features, including acoustic quality, lighting, color, thermal and hygrometric comfort, and spatial organization, can influence neurobiological processes, sensory development, emotional regulation, learning outcomes, and social inclusion. Particular attention is devoted to perinatal environments, neonatal intensive care units, educational settings, and design strategies aimed at supporting children with special needs. The findings suggest that appropriate architectural design can positively influence the children’s mind–body PNEI system, positioning architecture as a genuine form of integrated therapy. These considerations highlight the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare professionals and design practitioners to promote wellbeing and support harmonious development from the earliest stages of life.

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Silvia Moneti, Designing the Environment to Care for the Child: From the Delivery Room to the Classroom in "PNEI REVIEW" Online First/2026, pp 1-14, DOI: 10.3280/pnei2026oa23954