Derelict spaces in Stoke Town are to become more apparent as the city council are aiming to relocate the Civic Centre to the commercial district of Hanley. To compensate, major regeneration programmes are transforming important areas of Stoke-on-Trent – attracting new businesses into the city to increase local economy. Research shows 9 out of 10 businesses fail within the first two years. Therefore, it is important to see how architecture can help influence productivity and provide a more efficient regeneration strategy. The initial exploration of movement of people in Stoke, through the city center, derelict and vacant spaces provided a conclusion, that the usage space can be manipulated by light and shadow. by altering our emotive perception of a place and consequently change our behavior. The mapping of movement showed travelling from one activity to another could be used to incubate thought, hence maximise productivity. This space of time is called the ‘adjustment period.The key to maximize our thinking is to put ourselves in a zone of stimulation that is right for us. 
Scientific studies have come to believe that our brains are deeply affected by the spaces around us, a growing body of evidence proves that enriched environments might enhance the performance of human brain, and promote the growth of new neurons, our brain reacts to specific types of spaces, light and noise. Could neuroscientist contribute to the designs of productive architectures? The project is a local business hub which explores areas of spatial, light and sound relationship between user and environment to incubate different thought processes to drive creative and collaborative enterprising ideas. Each stage of incubation has a particular thought process which is specific to a mode of working, Each thought process require specific spatial, lighting and acoustic treatment to encourage work efficiencies as set out below.
Info:
Project name: C-A-S: Zone of thought stimulation
Student: Tulshi Patel
Architecture School: Birmingham School of Architecture
Arch2o has received this project from our readers in order to participate in the Students week 4 event, you may submit your own work for publication in the Students Week 5 by sending it to igraduate(at)arch2o.com
