Introduction: In this study, we aimed to explore how different spaces affect people and influence their emotions from a neuro-architectural perspective. The purpose of the study was to investigate how navigating historical and modern architectural environments impacts individuals both cognitively and physiologically. Methods: People’s reactions to historical and modern environments were explored and then analyzed using quantitative data and various analysis methods. Three different architectural environments were designed, and the participants were allowed to navigate these environments in a virtual reality setting. The participants were asked to select images from modern or historical pictures, and then they were subjected to the Beck Depression Inventory and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule tests. In addition, physiological data were collected from 164 participants using electroencephalography, eye tracking, and galvanic skin response devices. As a result, when the participants were evaluated based on their preferences for modern or historical environments, they were found to prefer a combination of historical and modern environments. It was determined that people exhibit different cognitive responses in different architectural environments. This is an important finding for redesigning the built environment.