Browsing by Subject "Biophilic design"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Open Access
Effects of biophilic design on sustainable behaviors: introducing the use of serious game as a measure of sustainable behavior
(Emerald, 2024-09-11) Özgen Turan, Dilay Seda; Afacan, Yasemin; Sürer, Elif
###### **Purpose** This study explores the impact of biophilic design in built environments on sustainable behaviors through the innovative use of a serious game. By examining how exposure to biophilic elements influences behaviors in real and virtual settings, the research aims to demonstrate the potential of serious games as tools for promoting sustainability. ###### **Design/methodology/approach** The study was conducted in three distinct experimental settings: (1) a real environment pre-game, (2) a non-immersive game environment within the same real setting, and (3) an immersive game environment post-game. Data were collected from 162 participants who experienced these different conditions. The serious game “Pop a Coffee Corner” was developed based on biophilic design principles and used to assess behavioral changes. ###### **Findings** Results indicated that exposure to biophilic design elements in real settings significantly enhanced sustainable behaviors compared to non-biophilic environments. Additionally, playing the serious game in a biophilic environment led to even greater improvements in sustainable behavior than exposure to biophilic design alone. This demonstrates the effectiveness of serious games in fostering sustainable actions. ###### **Research limitations/implications** The study’s findings are based on a specific university setting, which may limit generalizability. Future research could explore long-term impacts and applications in diverse contexts. ###### **Practical implications** The research provides practical guidelines for incorporating biophilic design in built environments, and developing serious games can be a practical strategy for architects, urban planners, and educators to promote sustainable behaviors among individuals. This approach can be applied in educational settings, public spaces, and workplaces to foster a deeper connection with nature and encourage environmentally responsible behaviors. ###### **Social implications** By demonstrating the effectiveness of biophilic design and serious games in promoting sustainable behaviors, this study contributes to broader societal efforts to address environmental challenges. Implementing these strategies can lead to increased environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviors, ultimately supporting sustainability goals. ###### **Originality/value** This study introduces the serious game approach as a novel method to evaluate and promote sustainable behaviors through biophilic design. It highlights the potential for integrating biophilic elements in both real and virtual environments to encourage environmentally responsible behavior, offering valuable insights to architects, designers, and policymakers.
Open Access
Enhancing sustainable behavior via a serious game: the role of biophilic design in real and virtual settings
(2024-09) Özgen Turan, Dilay Seda
Traditional sustainable design efforts often fail to significantly influence human behavior towards sustainability. This gap highlights the need for innovative approaches to encourage environmentally responsible actions in built environments. The aim of this thesis is to explore the potential of biophilic design—an architectural approach that integrates natural elements into built environments—to foster sustainable behaviors. Additionally, the study introduces the use of serious games as a novel tool to simulate real-world scenarios and influence behavior towards sustainability. Serious games can bridge the gap between awareness and action, offering a unique opportunity to reshape attitudes toward sustainability. The research involved 162 participants and was conducted in four distinct environments: two real-world settings, a non-immersive computer environment, and an immersive virtual reality (VR) setting. The study compared behaviors in biophilic and non-biophilic environments, and examined the role of serious games in enhancing sustainable behaviors in these different contexts. Findings reveal that biophilic design in real environments positively influences sustainable behaviors more than non-biophilic environments. Moreover, integrating biophilic design into serious games further enhances these behaviors, especially when experienced in an immersive virtual reality (VR) setting. The study underscores the potential of combining biophilic design with serious games as a powerful strategy to promote sustainable behaviors, offering insights into how digital tools can reconnect individuals with nature and encourage environmentally responsible actions.
Open Access
Exploring the facilitators of the gerotranscendence theory: correlations among sustainable behaviors, biophilic design, and nature connectedness
(Sage Publications, Inc., 2024-10-04) Afacan, Yasemin
This study aims to shift views away from negative perceptions towards aging by exploring the following research question: How are the multiple levels of the gerotranscendence theory influenced by the sustainable behavior and attitude toward the biophilic design of older adults? Background: Improving perceptions of aging is vital for positively impacting both the biological and societal aspects of the global aging phenomenon. Methods: The study utilized a mixed-method design. Initially, 300 older Turkish adults completed self-reported measures including the Gerotranscendence Scale (GS), Pro-environmental Behavior (PB), Environmental Identity Scale (EID), Biophilic Design Importance Level (BDI), and Inclusion of Nature in the Self Scale (INS). Subsequently, the second phase involved diary logs from 30 participants who volunteered during the initial phase. Results: Results indicated that a higher importance level placed on biophilic design was linked to a greater inclusion of nature in the self. Moreover, a stronger interest in nature correlated positively with the gerotranscendence experience. Conclusions: The results bring significant attention to biophilic design, especially its relevance in supporting sustainable environmental behaviors and positive aging.
Open Access
The impact of salutogenic design on perceived environmental quality and mood in healthcare environments: a comparative case study in dental clinics
(2022-05) Özgön, Işıl
This thesis systematically analyzed the effect of biophilic design as a salutogenic design method on improving a patient’s perceived environmental quality and mood in dental clinic waiting rooms. For this purpose, five experts evaluated potential dental clinic waiting rooms based on their biophilic scores and selected two dental clinics to compare their waiting rooms. One hundred four patients perceived environmental quality and mood were assessed while they were waiting for their treatment in the waiting room of the two clinics. According to the results, the patients' perceived environmental quality was greater in the waiting area with a higher biophilic score. The patients' mood scores, on the other hand, did not show any significant differences across the clinics. The outcomes of this thesis lead to a better understanding of how to incorporate salutogenic design features into dental clinic waiting rooms to enhance the patient experience.
Open Access
Impacts of biophilic design on the development of gerotranscendence and the profile of mood states during the COVID-19 pandemic
(Cambridge University Press, 2023-11-16) Afacan, Yasemin
To live in a good mood is not only a key consideration for future age-friendly communities, but also a critical necessity for positive ageing. Despite growing evidence of correlations between contact with nature and stress reduction, little is known about the effect of nature integration in indoor environments. Thus, this study aimed to answer the following research questions: (a) How do biophilic characteristics of home environments correlate with older adults’ experience of the multiple levels of the theory of gerotranscendence? and (b) What is the relationship between these experiences and the mood states of these older adults? The study was based on a comparative analysis to scrutinise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these questions. The data were gathered through questionnaires with 450 older adults aged between 65 and 95 years, and stratified by the biophilic characteristics of their living environments: indoor biophilic, outdoor biophilic and non-biophilic. Two sets of data were collected with the same participants, respectively, before the COVID-19 pandemic (June to October 2018) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (June to October 2020). It found that the biophilic characteristics of home environments are correlated dynamically with older adults’ ageing experience and mood states. The study indicates that outdoor biophilic features facilitate the recovery of tension mood effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas indoor biophilic features facilitate recovery from depression and anger.
Open Access
Impacts of biophilic design on the development of gerotranscendence and the Profile of Mood States during the COVID-19 pandemic
(Cambridge University Press, 2021-12-16) Afacan, Yasemin
To live in a good mood is not only a key consideration for future age-friendly communities, but also a critical necessity for positive ageing. Despite growing evidence of correlations between contact with nature and stress reduction, little is known about the effect of nature integration in indoor environments. Thus, this study aimed to answer the following research questions: (a) How do biophilic characteristics of home environments correlate with older adults’ experience of the multiple levels of the theory of gerotranscendence? and (b) What is the relationship between these experiences and the mood states of these older adults? The study was based on a comparative analysis to scrutinise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these questions. The data were gathered through questionnaires with 450 older adults aged between 65 and 95 years, and stratified by the biophilic characteristics of their living environments: indoor biophilic, outdoor biophilic and non-biophilic. Two sets of data were collected with the same participants, respectively, before the COVID-19 pandemic (June to October 2018) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (June to October 2020). It found that the biophilic characteristics of home environments are correlated dynamically with older adults’ ageing experience and mood states. The study indicates that outdoor biophilic features facilitate the recovery of tension mood effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas indoor biophilic features facilitate recovery from depression and anger.