Biophilic Interior Design Case Study

Abstract

When designing spaces for people it is necessary to know which elements affect human behaviour patterns and to design accordingly to enhance the experiences people come across in these spaces (Maslow: 1962). It is becoming increasingly well known that biophilic elements (bringing nature into buildings) promotes measurable benefits to human behaviour; performance, productivity, emotional well-being, stress reduction, learning, health and healing. (Wilson: 2006 and Kellert: 2005). Biophilic interior design could be the solution through a link of natural and physical environments, positively influencing human behaviour and well-being.

PREFACE

Humans have traditionally improved the places in which we live and work to increase our

METHODOLOGY 10

3. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 11

3.1 Interview with a HSP 11

3.2 Interview with a psychiatrists treating a HSP 12

4. QUESTIONNIARE TEMPLATE 13

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW 17

CHAPTER 4: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK, RATIONALE AND CASE STUDY 20

CHAPTER 5: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND RATIONALE 28

5.1.1 DESIGN RATIONALE 28

5.1.2 MOTIVATION 28

5.1.3 DESIGN SOLUTION 28

5.1.4. SITE AND DETAILS 29

5.1.5 DESIGN INSPIRATION 29

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 30

BIBLIOGRAPHY 31

APPENDIX A………………………………………………………………………………32

APPENDIX B………………………………………………………………………………33

APPENDIX C………………………………………………………………………………34

LIST OF FIGURES PAGE

Figure 1: Autonomic nervous system response,

Figure 2: Natural material coffee table within the built environment, Photo courtesy to (Aguado, 2012)

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CLARIFICATION OF TERMS

Biophilia: an innate love for the natural world, supposed to be felt universally by humankind. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biophilia Built Environment:The term built environment refers to the human-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, ranging in scale from buildings and parks or green space to neighbourhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply, or energy

Wilson as he describes Biophilia as the relationship and innate link between humans, nature and other forms of life. He describes it more specifically as “Biophilia is the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms. Innate means hereditary and hence part of ultimate human nature.” (Wilson, 1993.). “First, man creates environment, and environment, in its turn, influences man” (Smithson.1973). “The idea of incorporating nature into the built environment through biophilic design is less often seen as a luxury in the modern workplace, but rather as a sound economic investment into employees’ health, well-being and overall performance of employees.” (Human spaces report,