For most people in North America, undergoing treatments for cancer occurs exclusively in a healthcare setting. All too often, this healthcare setting provides a backdrop privileging the technological requirements of conventional medicine over the well-being of the people who inhabit it. Conversely, this practicum project is founded on a different, more holistic approach to cancer care called integrative oncology. The project investigates how an integrative cancer treatment centre can be designed to be more than a technological backdrop, endeavoring to become an active entity that truly supports those dealing with cancer. The investigation includes an extensive literature review of theoretical and evidence-based sources that relate to fostering connections to nature on a variety of levels. Informed by this, a review of relevant design precedents and the functional issues of integrative cancer treatment, the investigation concludes with a design solution for an integrated cancer treatment centre and related findings.

This interior design practicum is the design of three floating houses located on Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia. They are spatially efficient and aid in human-nature connections through the manipulation of thresholds. The adaptation of small spaces is best accomplished through the use of multifunctional space, efficient storage, and manipulation of views. Linking of spaces and the blurring of thresholds is best accomplished through the use of implied axial linkage to the exterior and through the addition of ornament. The human-nature connection, or biophilic design, is best accomplished through the integration of direct, indirect, and symbolic experiences with the natural environment. This is accomplished through the variation of ceiling heights, linking internal and external views, integration of natural light, and use of natural materials that vary in texture and reflectance value.

abstract: ABSTRACT In an attempt to advocate body-conscious design and healing work environments, this research study of holistic health in the workplace explores cognitive, social and physical well-being in four small US offices that are between 1000 and 4000 square feet and employ three to twelve employees. Holistic health, as pursued in this research, includes social health, emotional health and physical health. These three factors of holistic health have been identified and investigated in this study: biophilia: peoples' love and affiliation with other species and the natural environment; ergonomics: the relationship between the human body, movement, the immediate environment and productivity; and exercise: exertion of the body to obtain physical fitness. This research study proposes that employees and employers of these four participating workplaces desire mobility and resources in the workplace that support holistic health practices involving biophilia, ergonomics, and exercise. Literature review of holistic health and the holistic health factors of this research topic support the idea that interaction with other species can be healing, ergonomic body-conscious furniture and equipment increase productivity, limit body aches, pains and health costs; and exercise stimulates the mind and body, increasing productivity. This study has been conducted primarily with qualitative and flexible research approaches using observation, survey, interview and pedometer readings as methods for data collection. Two small corporate franchise financial institutions and two small private healthcare providers from both Arizona and Georgia participated in this study. Each office volunteered one employer and two employee participants. Of the holistic health factors considered in these four case studies, this study found that a majority of participants equally valued emotional health, social health and physical health. A majority of participants declared a preference for workplace environments with serene natural environments with outdoor spaces and interaction with other species, work environments with body-conscious furniture, equipment and workstations, as well as exercise space and equipment. As these particular workplace environments affirmed value for elements of the factors biophilia, ergonomics and exercise, all three factors are considered valueable within the workplaces of these case studies. Furthermore, factors that were said to contribute to personal productivity in participating workplaces were found as well as sacrifices that participants stated they would be willing to make in order to implement their preferred work environment(s). In addition, this study recorded and calculated average miles walked by participants in each workplace as well as existing incentives and descriptions of ideal work environments. Implications of this research study involve interior design, industrial design and fashion design that can accommodate the desires of the four participating workplaces. Major design implications involve accommodating these particular workplaces to provide personnel with opportunities for holistic health in working environments. More specific implications of office related design involve providing access to natural environments, body-conscious equipment and spaces, as well as opportunities for exercise and social interaction. These elements of the factors biophilia, ergonomics and exercise were found to be said to contribute to cognitive, social and physical health. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.D. Design 2011

Submitted by Ricardo Cedraz Duque Moliterno (ricardo.moliterno@uefs.br) on 2016-03-29T22:19:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta??o M?nica Abreu.pdf: 4010420 bytes, checksum: 63c86e91c0fbaae67a82069259b9b62b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-29T22:19:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta??o M?nica Abreu.pdf: 4010420 bytes, checksum: 63c86e91c0fbaae67a82069259b9b62b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-26 / Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia - FAPEB / The cities have become rich sites in different life forms, harboring a biodiversity hardly noticeable by people. The phenomenon of adaptation of wild animal populations colonizing the urban environment is named sinurbization. The sinurbization process is evident in the case of possums (Didelphis). These animals adapt easily to urban field and can be seen in the streets or on trees. This work aimed to highlight the phenomenon of sinurbization related to Didelphis, its occurrences and relations with people, in urban ecosystem of Feira de Santana (BA). The research was eminently qualitative being the relevant data analysed by means of quantification parsimonious represented only by descriptive statistics, graphic depictions and tables. Sampling was performed by non-probabilistic method, in part by resorting to the accidental sample type. 50 interviews were conducted, 32 semi-structure and 18 visually stimulated (it was displayed a photographic kit contains 10 photos for visual stimuli) with people living in the urban area of the city for more than three years. The road maps of interviews involved questions related to: geographical distribution and frequency of observation of animals, aspects of general biology, attitudes and beliefs of people front the possums. Were also conducted photographic records of traces found and direct sightings of animals, as well as a visual ethnography. Data were analyzed and systematized from the union model of multiple skills. Of the 41 existing neighborhoods in urban area, were verified occurrences of Didelphis in 23. In relation to the feelings of the participants, predominated the biophobia (46%), what was also demonstrated in the aggressive attitudes (56%) of respondents. The beliefs about the possums in the locality showed up to be discreet. The residents also showed knowledge about the morphology, reproduction, ethology and chronobiology of Didelphis. The use of possums in folk medicine was also cited by respondents. On the aspects of the diet of these animals, the category "birds" was the most cited by respondents. A visual ethnography demonstrated the fact that people feed on possums. On this basis, it is possible to say that a process of sinurbization of the possum (Didelphis) in the urban environment of Feira de Santana is doable and urban dwellers of this town have knowledge about the animal which largely corresponds to the scientific literature. / As cidades tornaram-se locais ricos em diferentes formas de vidas, abrigando uma biodiversidade dificilmente percept?vel pelas pessoas. O fen?meno de adapta??o das popula??es de animais silvestres colonizando o meio urbano ? denominado sinurbiza??o. O processo de sinurbiza??o ? evidente no caso dos sarigu?s (Didelphis). Estes animais se adaptam facilmente ?s ?reas urbanas e podem ser vistos em ruas ou sobre ?rvores. Este trabalho objetivou evidenciar o fen?meno de sinurbiza??o relacionada aos Didelphis, suas ocorr?ncias e rela??es com as pessoas, no ecossistema urbano de Feira de Santana (BA). A pesquisa foi eminentemente qualitativa, sendo os dados relevantes analisados por meio de quantifica??o parcimoniosa representadas apenas por estat?stica descritiva, representa??es gr?ficas e tabelas. A amostragem foi realizada por m?todo n?o-probabil?stico, em parte recorrendo-se ao tipo amostral acidental. Foram realizadas 50 entrevistas, 32 semi-estruturadas e 18 visualmente estimuladas (foi exibido um kit fotogr?fico contendo 10 fotos para estimulo visual) com pessoas que habitam a ?rea urbana do munic?pio h? mais de tr?s anos. Os roteiros de entrevistas envolveram perguntas relacionadas a: distribui??o geogr?fica e frequ?ncia de observa??o dos animais, aspectos da biologia geral, atitudes e cren?as das pessoas frente aos sarigu?s. Tamb?m foram realizados registros fotogr?ficos de vest?gios encontrados e de avistamentos diretos dos animais, bem como uma etnografia visual. Os dados foram sistematizados e analisados a partir do modelo de uni?o de diversas compet?ncias. Dos 41 bairros existentes na ?rea urbana, foram verificadas ocorr?ncias de Didelphis em 23. Em rela??o aos sentimentos dos participantes, predominou a biofobia (46%), o que ficou igualmente demonstrado nas atitudes agressivas (56%) dos entrevistados. As cren?as sobre os sarigu?s na localidade mostrou-se discreta. Os moradores tamb?m mostraram conhecimento sobre a morfologia, reprodu??o, cronobiologia e etologia dos Didelphis. O uso dos sarigu?s na medicina popular tamb?m foi citado pelos entrevistados. Sobre os aspectos da dieta desses animais, a categoria ?aves? foi a mais citada pelos entrevistados. A etnografia visual demonstrou o fato das pessoas alimentarem-se de sarigu?s. Com base nisso, ? possivel afirmar que o processo de sinurbiza??o do sarigu? (Didelphis) no ambiente urbano de Feira de Santana ? fact?vel e que os moradores urbanos desta localidade possuem conhecimentos sobre o animal que em grande parte corresponde a literatura cient?fica.

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The bat and human relationship has been one of ambiguity through the Anthropocene. Bats have been both persecuted and revered in different cultures and negative perceptions of bats remain widespread, causing concern for the support of bat conservation. Through this thesis I attempt to reach a better understanding of the interrelations between bats and humans, and the factors influencing perceptions of bats. This work lies in the interdisciplinary realm of animal studies, creating a junction between the natural and social sciences through studying and sharing the multispecies story of humans and bats. Through interviews and ethnographic study of bat researchers in Pretoria and an area of Limpopo Province, South Africa, attention is focused on the bat-human relationships from a South African context. A theme central to this work is human emotion, as I believe it is the greatest factor influencing how humans feel and act toward other beings. I examine how emotions towards certain stimuli, in this case bats, are formed through humans’ experiences and knowledge, looking at the different epistemic modes of knowing as other key concepts in this work while bringing attention to the emotional knowledge surrounding bats. Through a better understanding of the bat I believe the prevalent biophobia can transition into biophilia. Therefore, through this study I am to catch a glimpse into the meaningful lives of bats, striving to learn how to better know and understand them. Through this knowing I believe we can learn to love the bat for the unique animal it is, working towards securing the future of species and it’s environment in the midst of the current mass extinction, and hence secure the future of humankind as we move through the Anthropocene.

We live in daily cycles of brightness and darkness throughout our lives. Light is a device, both through natural and artificial sources, that supports the working of our brains in the processing, reconstruction, and classification of information (Galetta, 2014). According to the models of mental processing provided by various individuals in literature, light as a stimulus can induce specific emotions and behaviors in people (Tomassoni et al., 2015). The objective of this thesis project is to study the possibility of using light patterns and motions to support stress reduction and provide people with a feeling of calm in an indoor setting, where access to nature is limited. The participants (n=30) of the study are students and working adults who live in different cities. They have been asked to evaluate the natural elements and what they perceive as calmness and relaxation through the projection of five different sets of skies. The study considers light as a Biophilic design element, which provides people with calm and a sense of well-being in their work environment (i.e., home office, working space). Through the results of this first survey and insight from the study, the author conducted a lighting experiment using a small model and surveyed the participants’ responses on mood and preference to the different lighting conditions in the model. Consequently, it turned out that most of the participants, from both the online survey and through direct physical interaction with the model, mentioned that they would prefer spending their breaks during their workday in a space that has both patterned light and moving light (not static), rather than the absence of light patterns and motion.  By shaping human experience, the study investigates the possibility of using artificial light as a Biophilic design element to provide people with a feeling of calm and, therefore, to support stress reduction in their work environment.

This thesis report deals with the meaning of dynamics in lighting in context of the current state oflighting technology and how certain aspects of those can be applied to a specific space.Former studies discovered that biophilic aspects in design can create great benefits for the usersof a space. Natural elements is what we humans most affiliate to. Based on those findings I implementedaspects of dynamics in lighting into my design proposal assuming to be able to give theusers of the MIDDLA space benefit by recreating some degree of ‘virtual biophilia’.MIDDLA is the laboratory of the Media Technology and Interaction Design department of KTH.Characteristics of these facilities are unique as it is located in the attic floor of the oldest buildingon campus which is rather restricted in terms of daylighting and room clearance. Focus is put onthe corridor to evolve into an extension of the laboratory itself as a study area.Future post-occupancy research could be worthwhile of being conducted in combination with furtherdevelopment of the lighting design.

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Scholars widely accept that the well-documented benefits of biophilia–the human being's strong urge to connect with nature–are genuine to improved health. Then why, with the global acceptance and scientific validity of wellness design concepts, do architects not use this beneficial concept regularly–especially when designing isolated workspaces? This qualitative research explores architecture's current design decision process to better understand this design phenomenon, and to identify where architectural biophilic knowledge domains may be deficient. This study explores questions such as: Does the architect's lack of biophilic knowledge and/or structured wellness design decision support framework affect the decision? Would the existence of a wellness design tool better support the design decision? An explanatory case study using a purposeful study sample of architects, biophilia design experts, and associated specialists is used to develop design decision support frameworks. Level 1 establishes a propositional theory derived from the literature and professional experience, level 2 from architect interviews and observational meetings, and level 3 from a Delphi workgroup session. Framework evolutions help identify design-phase-specific knowledge gaps. This study finds that a deficiency in early exposure to a priori, explicit and tacit biophilic knowledge is creating a critical gap, thus diminishing a posteriori biophilic knowledge and research in the architecture profession. This study asserts that early exposure to biophilic theories and principles can enhance the profession and provide a knowledge bridge using an informed biophilia design support framework with a proposed biophilia project management tool. / Doctor of Philosophy / Few will dispute that the well-documented benefits of biophilia–the human being's strong urge to connect with nature–are genuine to improved health. Then why, with the global acceptance and scientific validity of wellness design concepts, do architects not use this beneficial concept regularly–especially when designing windowless workspaces? A qualitative explanatory case study using a purposeful study sample of architects, biophilia design experts, and associated specialists was used to develop a design decision support framework that evolved from level 1-3. Framework progressions helped identify specific knowledge gaps in each design phase. This study found that a deficiency in early exposure to a priori, explicit and tacit biophilic knowledge is creating a critical gap, thus diminishing a posteriori biophilic knowledge and research in the architecture profession. This study asserts that early exposure to biophilic theories and principles can enhance the profession and provide a knowledge bridge using an informed biophilia design decision support framework with a proposed biophilia project management tool.