Architectural Lessons from Environmental Psychology: The Case of Biophilic Architecture

TLDR

Environmental psychology shows humans are attracted to natural contents and specific landscape configurations, yet modern urban life limits opportunities for such contact. The study proposes countering these deficits by integrating natural contents and structural landscape features into built environments. The authors discuss practical proposals, from literal plant imitations to applying nature's fractal geometry in architecture. The features positively affect human functioning and reduce stress, while the loss of such elements in modern life can subtly yet significantly harm psychological and physiological well‑being.

Abstract

A review of findings from the field of environmental psychology shows that humans are aesthetically attracted to natural contents and to particular landscape configurations. These features are also found to have positive effects on human functioning and can reduce stress. However, opportunities for contact with these elements are reduced in modern urban life. It is argued how this evolution can have subtle but nontrivial adverse effects on psychological and physiological well-being. These can be countered by integrating key features of natural contents and structural landscape features in the built environment. Several practical proposals are discussed, ranging from literal imitations of natural objects (such as plants) to the use of nature's fractal geometry in an architectural context.