2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The design of interior spaces can greatly impact one’s mental health. Because people are spending more time indoors, the importance of well-designed interior spaces has increased dramatically. People living in urban areas have also lost their connection to the natural environment in their daily lives. Using biophilic design in architecture can increase productivity and creativity and positively impact mental health. Biophilic design involves incorporating organic materials, patterns, colors, textures, and plants into the built environment. Social psychologist Erich Fromm first used the term “Biophilia” to describe people’s fundamental tendencies to sustain life from death and positively integrate with other living things. Biologist Edward O. Wilson changed the meaning in the 1980s to focus on the emotional connection with life after humankind moved out of nature and into an urban environment (Zhong et al., 2022). This project aims to highlight the importance of biophilic design in architecture and how it can be incorporated into interior architecture. Through a detailed literature review, a guide was created that emphasizes the most important aspects of biophilic design and how it can be incorporated into preexisting buildings and new construction. The guide provides an accessible way for students to incorporate biophilic design into their projects. Once the guide was created, elements of biophilic design were incorporated into an existing building on Western Kentucky University’s campus. We created a 3D model of a popular student space and added biophilic design elements into the space. We then asked users to experience the space through virtual reality and solicited feedback on the design (with biophilic elements) and experience. Based on feedback from the users, we refined the guide. Having a guide will enable faculty teaching design studios in the architectural science program to incorporate projects involving biophilic elements into design projects. With the aid of the guide, students will be able to implement biophilic elements into their designs, enabling a healthier environment.