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Biophilic Design in Learning Spaces
By Oliver Heath T
he new frontline in sustainable building
design has developed from carbon reduction to the creation of human-centred spaces that prioritise health and well being. Through my research into the emerging science of Biophilic Design for
www.humanspaces.com I’ve discovered that enhancing these benefi cial eff ects in the design of a range of building typologies can also create substantial economic advantages. Biophilic design applies
the principles that humans have an innate at raction to elements in the natural world and that increasing this connection to nature through design can improve our physiological and psychological health. So what would a Biophilic learning space look like? Natural light in seminar
spaces would be optimised as would views out to nature (whether this is gardens or window boxes). In one study of offi ce workers, those with views of vegetation performed 10-25% bet er in mental function and memory recall tests. There would be natural
elements in the space such as plants, or materials like wooden tables and chairs. Areas would be divided up with a consideration of “whole human” needs for learning or cognitive restoration - research shows that tactile stimulation can be used to reduce stress, to energize or to relax (Spence, 2010). In educational set ings
Biophilic Design has the capacity to reduce stress levels whilst increasing focus and productivity. In fact, research
shows that optimising exposure to daylight alone can increase the speed of learning by 20-26% (Wells & Evans, 2003). It can also improve at endance by an average of 3.5 days/year and test scores by 5-14%. Features such as green walls can enhance a learning space visually, improve air quality which helps concentration and reduce distracting noise to improve acoustics in education spaces. Some of these aspects
may seem more feasible than others, especially with the pressure on time and resources within educational set ings. However, trials
“Biophilic Design has the capacity to reduce stress levels whilst increasing focus and productivity”
demonstrate that something as simple as having plants in classrooms can lead to improved performance in science based subjects of 10-14% and that focusing on increased well being has the potential to improve satisfaction and retention of staff and students alike. Improving performance can reduce the cost to the institution of absenteeism, recruitment, additional staffi ng and support. With research demonstrating the extraordinary potential of this emerging trend in design, universities can’t aff ord to sit back and ignore the evidence. Those at the vanguard
of the business world such as Apple and Google are embracing Biophilic Design principles to improve productivity and well being, shouldn’t education too?
Oliver Heath is an architect and interior designer
www.humanspaces.com
Bringing art to the heart of the campus
Sheffi eld Hallam University’s Heart of the Campus building is a multi-million-pound facility off ering over 7,400 sqm of teaching, study and social space, and is central to the university’s goal of providing high-quality facilities and teaching space for its 35,000 students. The themes explored in the
artwork, by artist Christopher Tipping, are conveyed through dynamic mark- making and linear drawing, routed into the Rockpanel surface of the building’s facade. The work evokes the history of cutlery and silverware manufacture in the city via techniques associated with it such as engraving and chasing, suggesting the role of
an individual maker and the exotic materials they often worked with such as Brazilian rosewood and red deer antler. Artist Christopher
Tipping explained: “I wanted to explore the evidence of the handcrafted and extraordinary skills upon which the wealth of the city was based.” The narrative artwork
forms an abstract landscape which can be read vertically or in plan, like a map, with forms and shapes redolent of topography, rivers, trees and clouds.
“I wanted to explore the evidence of the handcrafted and extraordinary skills upon which the wealth of the city was based”
Bucks New Uni opens The L
Mike Clare, one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, has opened the Clare Business School Experiential Learning Space at Buckinghamshire New University, where students can meet and use a state-of-the- art white board to develop their entrepreneurial ideas. The Learning Space is
open plan and designed to stimulate ideas through use of the interactive whiteboard and a cluster of laptop and Wi-Fi connectivity. Informal and colourful seating supports the learning environment for stimulating enterprising ideas. Mike Clare said: “I am
very proud and privileged to have the Business School named after me and this Experiential Learning Space is another important step in providing support to entrepreneurial students
Mike Clare unveils a plaque for the Clare Business School Experiential Learning Space
enabling them to meet, work and develop their ideas.” The Clare Business School covers a wide range of
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