Biophilic design: Creating biophilic healing spaces
Author: Keerthana Ram Sethuraman
Supervisors: Tobias Danielmeier
Sethuraman, K. R. (2023). Biophilic design: Creating biophilic healing spaces (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design). Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.6049
Abstract
Healthcare space are spaces that are meant for the healing; it is important to create an environment which helps to facilitate the healing in these places. In theory, the concept of biophilia has proven to improve the well-being of the occupant in any built spaces. This study focuses on understanding the importance of incorporating the concept of biophilic architecture in healthcare setting. The practical implication of applying this concept was verified through specific literatures about biophilic architecture in healthcare and stakeholder interviews with experts from the field, which helped in understanding the importance of introducing a healing environment in healthcare design. In this research, a new perspective to the biophilic architecture was explored, which is the cultural dimension. Culture and Biophilia are closely linked, yet this perspective has never been explored in biophilic design. For this, the local culture specific to New Zealand was considered and cultural expert Ron Bull was contacted to understand how people can connect themselves to New Zealand and understand cultural appropriation. Furthermore, the cultural context was compared to the concept of biophilia which helped in developing a conceptual framework that can be applied to a design. This thesis explores the role of culture and biophilic environment can help to improve the health and well-being of a person in a healthcare environment.
Keywords:
Aotearoa, New Zealand, health architecture, health care, biophilic design, Māori values and protocols, interior design
License
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.
