Julia del Río is an architect and PhD researcher. Her career integrates professional practice, applied research, consultancy, and education at the intersection of neuroscience, architecture, and human experience. She develops evidence-based design projects and evaluation frameworks to test, pilot, and assess the effectiveness of spatial interventions, particularly across healthcare, workplace, learning, and public-space settings. Based in Switzerland, she works in Europe and North America and develops international workshops combining research, education, and public participation in Canada, New York, and Switzerland. She also creates educational programmes, teaches, and contributes as a speaker and panellist at academic and professional events. Julia completed a master’s degree focused on neuroscience for architecture in San Diego, California and is currently pursuing her PhD at the Universitat Politècnica de València, examining the built environment and cognitive resilience in ageing. She serves on the Advisory Council of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA).
Locus is a design, research, and education practice specializing in neuroscience applied to architecture and human experience. It develops projects and consultancy services that translate scientific evidence, data, and user needs into applicable spatial strategies. Its work includes evidence-based design, applied research, wayfinding, human-experience studies, pre- and post-occupancy evaluation, pilot studies, and evaluation frameworks designed to assess the effectiveness of interventions. Locus also creates workshops combining research, education, and public participation, alongside courses and educational programmes for professionals, institutions, and students. Its methodology integrates qualitative and quantitative tools, including behavioral, cognitive, and physiological measures, selected according to the questions and context of each project. Its purpose is to create more understandable, healthy, and stimulating environments while generating useful knowledge to inform design decisions across healthcare, workplace, learning, and public-space settings.
