BIOPHILIC DESIGN IN THE HOME WORKSPACE: ASSOCIATIONS WITH WELLBEING & CONNECTION TO NATURE
Prior research has found that exposure to nature benefits wellbeing and increases feelings of connectedness to nature, and that this connectedness is associated with pro-environmental behaviors. Unfortunately, most people experience a nature deficit. Additionally, because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people to work at home, the work-from-home workspace has become a critical environment impacting mental health. Consequently, this study seeks to determine if nature brought into the built environment of home workspaces through biophilic design can result in higher levels of wellbeing and connectedness to nature. It also investigates which biophilic design elements are perceived to be most effective at increasing connection to nature and wellbeing. The structure of this study consisted of an online survey and interviews. The survey investigates four variables: (1) connection with nature, (2) wellbeing, (3) amount of biophilic design, and (4) type of biophilic element. These variables were examined through established scales, panoramic photographs of work-from-home workspaces, and digital renderings depicting different biophilic elements within an imagined work environment. Follow-up interviews provided an in-depth look into the reasoning behind survey responses. Results of the quantitative data indicated no correlation between amount of biophilic design in work-from-home workspaces and wellbeing, though qualitative data disagreed. A significant relationship was found between amount of biophilic design and connection to nature for females, but not for males. Further results from the study suggest that biophilic design elements that enable direct experiences of nature, especially windows to natural areas, are perceived by workers as most effective at enhancing connection to nature and wellbeing. Overall, this research suggests it might be possible for biophilic design in the indoor environment to have similar effects as exposure to outdoor nature, but that the relationship is complex and requires further investigation.