Designing a Resilient Primary School in Post-War Conditions: A Neuroarchitectural Approach Emphasizing Amygdala Activation Reduction

Abstract

Iranian primary schools have encountered a new phenomenon of "nationwide vicarious trauma" following the Minab incident and the widespread dissemination of its images across social media and national news networks, which has shattered the mental schema of "school as a safe place." From a neuroscience perspective, repeated viewing of these images via mirror neurons has activated neural circuits similar to direct war trauma and caused hyperactivation of the amygdala (the brain's fear and threat processing center) in children. This neural dysregulation directly threatens children's social cognition, essential for learning, cooperation, and peer interaction. The present study aims to develop a neuroscience-based design framework for resilient primary schools in post-war conditions. The research employed a qualitative meta-synthesis method. By analyzing three successful international case studies, including Kharkiv's underground schools in Ukraine, Lithuania's future school project, and the Bucha forest classroom, and integrating them with previous survey findings (the author's master's thesis), design variables were extracted. The findings indicate that effective resilient school design includes five key variables: 1) dual-use shelters with a 40% reduction in panic response, 2) curved corridors with a 3–4 m radius and ceiling heights exceeding 3 m leading to 28% cortisol reduction and 71% reduction in hypervigilance behaviors, 3) dual-mode lighting with gradual transition to prevent sudden dark shock, 4) nature-based open spaces with natural materials (reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms from 82% to 34%), and 5) child-maneuverable furniture to restore a sense of agency and control. The proposed "Dual-Mode design" framework integrates neuroarchitectural principles with trauma-informed design for the first time in Iran and is adaptable to Mazandaran's warm and humid climate (relative humidity above 80%, annual rainfall over 1000 mm) and Iran's architectural culture (iwan-like spaces and straight Chaharbagh axes).