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Browsing by Subject "Biophilic Design"

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    Perceived Restoration of Hotel Lobbies: An Examination of Biophilic Design Attribute Organized Complexity and Attention Restoration Theory
    (2019-12) Bilgic, Naz
    Previous researchers have shown that a sense of connection with nature can improve human health and well-being. Attention Restoration Theory (ART) frequently uses immersion in natural or nature-inspired environments as a means of helping people recover from mental fatigue, stress, and exhaustion. Simultaneously, biophilic design has become increasingly influential in design fields, and has been associated with a wide array of benefits in human performance, health outcomes, and quality of life. Some design principles that are promoted in the biophilic design literature, such as the use of natural light, have been strongly supported by empirical research findings. Other components of biophilic design, however, particularly those related to more abstract elements and indirect invocations of nature, have received less empirical study. The current research focused on the principle of “organized complexity” as it is advocated in the biophilic design literature. An interior design based around the principle of organized complexity was created for a hotel lobby, a vital service-industry context that has not received much attention in biophilic design research compared to other settings such as healthcare and retail. Three different designs were created for the hotel lobby, each of which was very similar except for the level of organized complexity. For example, identical carpet patterns were used in each design, but the intricacy and size of the pattern was adjusted for low-, medium-, and high-complexity conditions. A randomized between-subject study was carried out by immersing participants in virtual-reality models of these designs, and obtaining and triangulating their fatigue-related and environmental preference responses on three survey instruments. Potential moderator variables were also considered, including gender, prior experience with virtual-reality, and prior experience working or studying in design professions. The results of the study did not show a statistically significant relationship between the objective organized complexity levels and attention restoration. However, the findings did indicate a positive relationship between perceived environmental complexity and attention restoration, as well as a correlation between self-reported environmental preferences and attention restoration. These findings appear to indicate that individual baselines and preferences are a crucial factor in the benefits associated with organized complexity in biophilic design. Further research will need to be carried out to confirm this result and to determine if any demographic patterns can be identified in these environmental preferences and benefits.
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    Representational elements of nature's effect on seniors' self-perceived well-being
    (2014-05) Kieffer, Sheena Marie
    Humans evolved in a natural habitat, and thus, have an innate preference for nature, as stated by the biophilia hypothesis (Wilson, E.O., 1984). Attention Restoration Theory stresses nature's incredible ability to restore ones' mind (Kaplan, S., 1995). Consequently, spending time in nature improves humans' well-being. It is reasonable to assume that nature's benefits could be extended to viewing nature in interior space, referred to as biophilic design (Kellert, 2008). Incorporating nature into interior space is critical for older adults who may no longer be able to experience the outdoors. This study examined the possible effects on seniors from their observation of representational elements of nature (REN) in the interior of senior living communities to determine if they would strengthen their self-perceived connectedness to nature, and therefore, support their self-perceived well-being. This exploratory mixed methods study surveyed 20 residents at a market rate independent senior living community. Individually, participants viewed four pairs of photographs of senior living communities' main public lounges. The four REN variables reviewed were water, fire, natural materials, and botanical motifs. It was found that natural materials, followed by fire, had the most significant influence on seniors' well-being. Findings related to botanical motifs and water's influence on well-being is less clear. Plants, color, and nature-based artwork were also identified as design elements that influenced participants' preference for the lounges shown in the photographs, though not REN variables measured in this study. This exploratory research lays a foundation for future researchers to examine the significance of incorporating REN into interior space occupied by seniors in independent living communities.