ENHANCING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING OF

AN OFFICE OCCUPANTS THROUGH BIOPHILIC

APPROACH

Dissertation
Synopsis

Excel college of Architecture

THIRIPURASUNDARI.D

M.ARCH – II YEAR - III SEMESTER

BATCH _ 2022-2024

GUIDED BY

AR.THANGABASKAR

AR.LAKSHMINARAYANAN
INTRODUCTION
Aim
The main aim is to achieve a healthy workspace and well being for office buildings
occupants through biophilic architecture.
Objectives
• To study incorporation of biophilic architecture that seeks to provide a healthy
workspace for building occupants through case studies.
• To study biophilia as a concept, it’s components and design elements.
Scope
• It can mitigate the urban heat island effect by increasing green spaces. (Micro
climate).
• Natural elements can boost productivity and creativity.
• Green roofs, vertical gardens and urban parks can provide habitats for wild life
and help address the loss of natural habitats due to urbanization.
Need for the study
Due to continuous urbanization the building footprints get reduced and became
tall buildings. Full day working in a compact structures leads to stress-related illness and
is predicted to be the primary cause of sickness by 2020.So ,this is the right time to
get more connected with nature in built environment to reduce human stress.
Research questions
• How might biophilic design elements further enrich and develop a sustainable,
effective, low-stress workplace?
• How might interconnected open areas with direct and indirect visual connections
promote communication between office and public users?
• How can the users wellness and productivity at work be improved by direct
interaction with biophilic features in an office setting?
Limitations
I seek to focus on office spatial planning and other parameters like natural lighting
and ventilation, materials, open green spaces.
Methodology
Incorporate the biophilic principles and elements in spatial planning of office
spaces and other parameters like natural lighting and ventilation, materials.
Final Outcome
The main outcome of this research paper is to incorporate biophilic architecture in
office building for overall well being, because of the fast growing urbanization, green
spaces are reducing that puts an major impact on human health and well being.
Abstract
Physical wellness, comfort and mental wellbeing are important factor in designing
a built form. We often neglect nature in process of design. Nature has no substitute.
So, it is very important to consider while designing a building. Humans have evolved
their behavioural mechanism & problem solving tactics responding to the stimulus from
the surrounding spaces. Architecture, here, has an infinite power to dictate the
character and stimuli generation of a space. This stimulus to be positively conceived and
delivered physically, psychologically and intellectually to the surroundings, is the core of
the Biophilic Hypothesis. This paper discusses the impact of biophilic design on human
health and well-being and presents a unified framework for its application in the design of
biophilic spaces.
Introduction
Biophilic design is an approach to architecture and interior design that
incorporates elements of nature into the built environment, with the aim of enhancing
people's connection with nature and improving their well-being. The concept of biophilia,
which suggests that humans have an innate affinity for nature, is at the core of biophilic
design. Biophilic design principles can be applied in a variety of ways, such as
incorporating natural light and ventilation, using natural materials, and creating views of
nature from indoor spaces. Biophilic design can have a positive impact on human health
and well-being, including reducing stress, enhancing cognitive function, and increasing
creativity.
Nature connectedness and biophilic design have the potential that nature
connectedness-focused biophilic design can have in shaping environments that benefit
people, nature and the future by developing opportunities to increase interaction and
engagement with nature in everyday spaces, such as work space. This suggests that
biophilic design can be an effective way to promote nature connectedness and enhance
well-being in indoor environments.

Need for the study

In cities maximum time people are away from their houses, either they will be in
offices or in public areas like stations, bus stands, malls etc. Due to continuous
urbanization the building footprints get reduced and became tall buildings. Full day
working in a compact structures leads to stress-related illness and is predicted to be
the primary cause of sickness by 2020.The downside of this is the overall loss of man’s
connection to nature and the outdoors. So its urgent need to create connection of man
and nature by executing “Biophillic Design” in buildings for the better future of human
being.

Methodology

Biophilic Architecture for a healthy and productive workplace

Objectives

Examine the means of manifestation of biophilic feature concepts

Incorporating biophilic elements in urban workplace to create a healthy and

productive workplace

Literature review

Biophilic design features

14 patterns of biophilic design

Case studies

Case study-1 Case study-2 Case study-3

Proposed design strategies from case studies

Analysis of Architectural design approach

Design recommendations