BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Figure 2. The furniture arrangement in the treatment room orientates the patient to view the vegetation outside the room, thus creating the opportunity for a cognitive break.
It is important to note that many of
these patterns overlap with one another, as multiple patterns can be used to create the appropriate feeling required by the user of the space.
Nature in space Nature in space refers to the direct, physical, and transient presence of nature in a space or place. This includes the diversity, movement, and multi-sensory interactions we have with a space through the strategic use of plants, water, animals, sounds, and scents, within the space.
Visual connection to nature A visual connection to nature refers to a view to elements of nature, living systems, and natural processes. Interior spaces with a view of nature feel whole, as it can engage with an individual, and provide a sense of place (with reference to weather, time, and other living things). Within the assisted ward, the therapeutic
spaces – treatment room, consultation room, and group room - have been grouped together along the rear of the building to utilise the views of the Baakens Valley beyond (Fig 2). The activities taking place within these rooms can lead to cognitive fatigue, which
Figure 3. The exclusive use courtyard provides patients with the opportunity to interact with nature at various times of the day, creating moments to which only they are privy.
can be countered through the inclusion of views of nature, as this provides a visual break to the user. The benefits of nature increase with a higher biodiversity (i.e. variety) being visible, as opposed to increasing with a view of a vegetative area (i.e. expanse). With views out, users can orientate themselves to the time of day and weather conditions. On occasion it is also possible to see some of the natural wildlife of the Baakens Valley. Research has proven that views of nature reduce stress, evoke positive emotional functioning, and improve concentration and recovery rates. Viewing scenes of nature stimulates a larger portion of the visual cortex in the brain, which triggers more pleasure receptors in the brain, in turn leading to prolonged interest and faster stress recovery.
Non-rhythmic sensory stimuli Non-rhythmic sensory stimuli create a feeling where a user is privy to a unique experience for a moment, which creates a brief distraction. This brief distraction is stimulating and energising. The location of the main therapeutic spaces – where activities that can lead to cognitive fatigue take place – on the valley edge, as well as
the access to the exclusive use courtyard, allow users to experience constantly changing natural processes (Fig 3). Users can experience weather patterns changing as the experience of the rooms and spaces change and differ from morning, afternoon, and evening: wildlife can be seen and natural sounds heard, creating brief interactions at randomised moments. Exposure to constantly changing natural processes evokes a physiological experience which restores as it stimulates and energises the user.1
Thermal and air flow variability Thermal and air flow variability create spaces which feel refreshing and invigorating – as opposed to stale environments with no air flow - as changes to the air temperature, relative humidity, and airflow, can be made to closer resemble natural environments. During the design process for the ward, this pattern posed a conundrum. From a safety perspective, burglar-proofing was fitted to all opening sections of windows. This, however, posed a suicide risk to
patients, and it was ultimately agreed that this could only be mitigated with fixing the windows closed permanently, and providing mechanical ventilation to
Figures 4&5. The linking of the internal and external spaces has been accentuated by the inclusion of a pergola-like structure internally, drawing the user’s eye to the outside. The pergola externally creates a diffused lighting effect as the sun moves from the morning to the evening, creating a sense of drama internally, and simulating natural conditions of lighting in nature – such as a tree with foliage casting shadows in different places as the day progresses would.
22 Health Estate Journal May 2022
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