CAAD – CHENNAI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

Approved by Council of Architecture, New Delhi and Affiliated to Anna University,

Chennai.

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this Dissertation titled “BIOPHILIC WITH HEALING ARCHITECTURE - CASE
STUDY- WINDHOVER CONTEMPLATIVE CENTRE AND ART GALLERY” submitted by Mr.
VASANTH P, Reg. No. 113715251062 to the CAAD – Chennai Academy of
Architecture and Design for the award of Bachelor Degree in Architecture is a
bonafide record of work carried by his under my supervision.

Certified further that to the best of my knowledge the work reported here does not form
part of any other thesis / dissertation on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred
on an earlier occasion on this or any other candidate.

Dissertation Coordinator Director

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 DECLARATION

I, VASANTH P (Reg.No-113715251062) hereby declare that the Dissertation entitled

“BIOPHILIC WITH HEALING ARCHITECTURE - CASE STUDY - WINDHOVER CONTEMPLATIVE
CENTRE AND ART GALLERY” done by me under the guidance of Prof. HARIHARAN, is
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Architecture
degree.

Date: Signature of the Candidate.

VASANTH,

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am thankful to Prof. HARIHARAN, my dissertation coordinator, with his valuable

guidance, constant encouragement, simulative discussions and keen interest evinced
throughout the course of my study. The help and advice rendered by him/her are mainly
responsible for the successful completion of my study.

I would like to thank my Family and Friends for helping me to complete my

Dissertation.

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 ABSTRACT

Since the Industrial Revolution, the built environment and urban areas have exploded at
an unprecedented rate not seen in any other time in human history. Where we once
evolved and developed in natural settings, today we spend over 90% of our time indoors
surrounded by drywall, concrete, wood, and steel. Biophilic design aims to remedy this
modern disconnect with nature and fulfil the longing that humans have to be immersed in
the natural environment. This thesis will examine biophilia, the theory that we are innately
and evolutionarily programmed to respond positively to nature, and that maintaining this
connection is crucial to human health and well-being. This thesis will explore and
emphasize key research of biophilic design, implementation, how it goes beyond “green”
design or being a “fad”, reduces stress, increases productivity, creativity, and improves
over-all health.

Biophilia is a human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms

of life in nature. Consequently, biophilic living is related to an ecological perception on how
humans are fascinated aesthetically as well as related physiologically and psychologically
to nature and how humans value their surroundings. In order to move toward to biophilic
living, one should behave more pro-environmentally and find fascination in the environment
while discovering ways to increase participation for the ecological values. When an
architecture strengthens pro-environmental behavior and ecological responsiveness, it
demonstrates an ability to alter its form due to behavioral stimuli and continually reflect the
environmental conditions that surround it.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

BONAFIDE ........................................................................................................................................ i
DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................ ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ....................................................................................................................iii
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................... iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................. vi

CHAPTERS
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background of study……………………………………………………………………… .. 1
1.2 Need for the study ......................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Scope for application ................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Examples from Architecture ......................................................................................... 3

2. LITERATURE STUDY ............................................................................................................ 4

2.1 About the Study ............................................................................................................. 4

3. CASE STUDY ...................................................................................................................... 7

3.1 Literature Case study………………………………………………………………………..7
3.2 Live Case study…………………………..…………………………………………………14
3.3 Inferences………………………………………………………………………...………….18

4. BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………..………...20

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Characteristics of surface and atmospheric urban heat islands ............................ 4

Table 2 Values taken at diff. monitoring stations in a dense area at Chennai ................... 7
Table 3 Values taken at diff. monitoring stations in a suburban area at Chennai ............ 8
Table 4 Analysis of case study 01 ............................................................................................. 10
Table 5 Analysis of case study 02 ............................................................................................. 15

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig 1.1 Sketch of an urban heat island profile……………………………………………… ........ 1

Fig 2.1 Variations of surface and air temperatures in different types of urban areas
compared to rural
peripheries……………………………………………………………… ................................ .3
Fig 2.2 How green cover influences formation of UHI…………………………………… .......... 6
Fig 2.3 Formation of ‘Urban Canyons’ based on different heights and widths of urban
masses, and their effect on the Canyon temperature………………………… .......... 7
Fig 3.1 A schematic diagram given by NASA shows the balance between incoming and
outgoing energy of the Earth………………………………………………………… ......... 9
Fig 3.2 Radiation and energy exchanges in urban and rural built environments on a
clear day… ...................................................................................................................... 11
Fig 3.3 Urban built environment and wind behavior…………………………………… .......... 11

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