What You Will Learn
“Neuro:” has become a popular—but often misunderstood—umbrella term. Neuroscience, Neuroaesthetics, neurodiversity, and NeuroDesign are frequently used interchangeably, despite representing distinct bodies of knowledge with different design implications. This session clarifies what each term actually means and why the distinctions matter in kitchen and bath design. Attendees will learn how these concepts influence perception, emotion, behavior, and usability, and how to apply them thoughtfully to support client well-being, comfort, and long-term satisfaction.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between neuroscience, Neuroaesthetics, neurodiversity, and NeuroDesign, and identify how each informs kitchen and bath design decisions.
- Evaluate why certain layouts, materials, lighting, and sensory cues resonate more strongly with specific clients.
- Apply neuro-informed insights to support client well-being, usability, and emotional comfort without overgeneralizing or “designing by trend.”
Featured Presenter
Christina Mogk
Holistic Design Lead, Mecc Interiors
Christina is the Holistic Design Lead at Mecc Interiors, and has spent over two decades at the intersection of sustainability, neuroaesthetics, and wellness-focused residential design. A holistic design lead, certified design professional, and educator, she specializes in creating forever homes that support living in place, physical and cognitive health, and a sense of sanctuary.
A certified WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, CLIPP professional, and early adopter of NeuroDesign in practice, Christina brings a research-based, human-centered approach to kitchen and bath design. Her work blends biophilic design, environmental psychology, and sensory wellness to support how people live, function, and feel in their homes.
She has taught interior design, green building, and business courses at the post-secondary level and draws on over 5,000 hours of yoga practice and instruction to inform her understanding of well-being in the built environment. A seasoned speaker and writer, she has contributed to national platforms including the National Home Show and is known for translating complex research into practical, designer-ready insights. She is currently co-authoring two forthcoming professional books focused on human-centred residential design.
Featured Presenter
Linda Kafka
Founder, NeuroDesign Academy
Linda Kafka is a long-standing advocate for the residential interior design and building industry, with almost two decades of experience. Her work spans from educating professionals on designing for aging in place to exploring, through the lens of NeuroDesign, neuroaesthetics, and biophilia, the ways our environments influence physical and emotional well-being.
She is the founder of NeuroDesign Academy, a global online education platform for the interior design industry. The Academy empowers designers to understand how the brain and body respond to space, often in non-conscious ways, helping them create environments that support health, comfort, and emotional connection. It also offers the only CEU-accredited certification course for interior designers on the Foundations in Science of Design, bridging neuroscience and design practice.
Before launching the Academy, Linda played a key role in creating and managing Canada’s only trade-focused design centre, where she built strong industry partnerships and prioritized education and community.
Most recently she was a contributor for the Routledge Handbook of Neuroscience for the Built Environment and authored the Adaptive Home Renovation Training Manual for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, a national resource that equips professionals to design adaptable environments that support aging in place, accessibility, and wellness.
Linda previously served on the board of the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), Decorating and Designers Association of Canada (DDA), and currently sits on the board of theHAPI.org, a U.S.-based non-profit research organization focused on the human experience of the built environment. There, she supports the research team in studies that use biometric sensors to better understand and validate how people respond, physiologically and emotionally, to architectural and interior design elements.
Linda believes that design is emotionally driven, backed by science!
