Biophilic Design in Urban High-Rises: Measuring the Impact of Integrated Greenery on Occupant Well-Being
2 viewsAbstract
The rapid urbanization of the 20th century and the prevalence of high-rise buildings have led to a disconnection between people, especially office workers, and the natural environment. This disconnection raises concerns regarding office workers' productivity, mental well-being, and overall health. This study will examine the measurable impact of biophilic design, an architectural approach that integrates natural elements into buildings, on the occupants’ health, studying its impact through a mixed-methods comparative case study, using data on occupants’ physiological and psychological well-being and overall productivity gathered from 6 office buildings with varying levels of biophilic design integration. Quantitative results showed that occupants of high- biophilic buildings experienced statistically significant improvements in overall physiological health, psychological well-being, and productivity compared to their counterparts. Regression analysis revealed that the strongest cue for overall occupant well-being is the visual connection to nature and the integration of natural light, followed by indoor vegetation and natural materials. Thus, qualitative interview findings revealed that biophilic elements are also indicators of organizational care and, in addition to supporting psychological restoration, positively influence occupants’ satisfaction. By situating these data within a real-world architectural context, this study provides experiential support for both the biophilia hypothesis and the attention restoration theory, enabling further research beyond controlled laboratory settings. The study concludes with recommendations to implement biophilic elements, such as natural light and visual connections to nature, on a scalable and cost-effective basis for architects, developers, and policymakers.
Keywords
Biophilic Design, Occupant Wellbeing, Sustainable Architecture, Urban Office, Workplace Productivity