Nature and greenspaces have been enjoyed throughout history and used for relaxation purposes. Several theories, such as biophilia and stress recovery theory, suggest nature’s ability to improve stress recovery. Even though stress helps detect danger and enhances alertness, it causes fatigue and distortive cognitive functions if prolonged. Nature-based intervention such as Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing, which refers to relaxing walks in forest environments, has been recently researched and used to reduce stress in individuals. The current study is an experimental study aimed at whether attendance in nature is beneficial for stress recovery. Ten subjects were divided into an experimental group (walks in nature) and a control group (walks in a city environment). They were tested for stress levels using heart rate variability (HRV) and the Karolinska exhaustion disorder scale (KEDS) before and after the walks. The result demonstrated no significant differences in stress recovery for both measurements before and after walks in nature compared to walks in a city environment. Despite that, it did not reject nature’s positive impact on stress recovery. Therefore more research on nature-based intervention and stress recovery is required.

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This thesis thrives to promote community health and wellbeing through smart design, celebrating culture(s), and offering efficacious and real-world solutions to mitigate certain challenges arising from the imminent threat of climate change and the gradual depletion of our planet's natural resources. The projected building harnesses naturel forces, minimizes energy consumption, and uses natural/passive strategies like thermal mass and natural ventilation. Interior spaces enjoy an abundance of Natural lighting, biophilic attributes, and thera-serlized or uninterrupted views. It generates electrical energy due to adequate solar power and clear skies, especially in hot and arid climates like the proposed location of the project in Tuba City, AZ. In my proposal of a sustainable, community-focused, wellness center, this project will attempt to embrace diversity, celebrate the Navajos heritage through incorporating their belief system and culture into the genius Loci of the place, which will have a long-term healing effect on patients during their journey of recovery. The Navajo nation is a native American reservation and a self-governing community located in the southwest of the US between four states (UT, AZ, NM, CO). Since it's an Underserved, marginalized, and medically under-resourced community, the Navajo Nation was prone to COVID-19 onslaught in 2020, which resulted in substantial number of cases compared to other US states. / Master of Architecture / In Dec 2020, the World witnessed the first case of Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. The disease has since spread rapidly worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic. Like many countries across the globe, the health system in the United States of America has to grabble with this deadly virus by inducing measures such as mask mandates and lockdowns in many US states. Unfortunately, and due to economic and social disparities, COVID-19 pandemic has brought injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health. Some communities were hit hard due to lack of emergency response, the availability of health professionals, and healthcare infrastructure. Tuba city, which is the Diné or the Navajo nation second-largest community in Coconino County, AZ, was majorly hit with COVID-19 resulting in a significant number of cases compared to other US cities. This project is a critical component of an emergency preparedness matrix that can firstly; help absorb the shock of such outbreaks by providing primary and outpatient services. Secondly; it offers community-focused and wellness service that can empower underserved, under-resourced and valuable communities like the Navajo Nation. This project is unique due to its inherited and embedded characteristics of bringing the Navajo tradition into the spirit of the building, by celebrating their culture making it a key component in a patent's healing process.

The prevailing approach to sustainable design focuses on low environmental impact objectives rather than the enhancement of the connection between people and the natural environment. According to Edward O. Wilson, biophilic design attempts to place an emphasis on the human to nature relationship in the built environment under the ideology that we have an innate affinity for the natural world because of our evolutionary development. In order to properly apply biophilic design, it is necessary to study and understand what it is about specific elements in nature that creates a sense of pleasure and well being. Nature is rich with sensual features, and the expression of these biophilic traits in architectural design is really what â sustainable designâ is all about. The purpose of this thesis is to explore Wilsonâ s theories of biophilic design through the development of an office skyscraper. The driving force behind the project is the design of the sensory oases, which are vertical extensions of the ground plane that contain features intended to stimulate the senses. / Master of Architecture

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Ojämlikhet i hälsa kan bero på flertalet orsaker, exempelvis graden av delaktighet och inflytande i samhället. En grupp som vanligen isoleras från samhället är flyktingar, vars anpassning till det nya landet kan vara påfrestande samtidigt som de drabbas av psykiska, fysiska och sociala svårigheter. Av den anledningen krävs interventioner i syfte att underlätta integrationsprocessen samt skapa förutsättningar för en tillfredsställande och hälsosam tillvaro i det nya samhället. Studiens syfte var att undersöka genomförarnas uppfattningar av arbetet med integrationssatsningen för flyktingpojkar på Salaortens Ryttarförening. En kvalitativ metod användes för att besvara syftet och data samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer där sex personer som arbetat med integrationssatsningen deltog. Insamlad data analyserades genom en manifest kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet visade att integrationssatsningen genererat flertalet positiva effekter gällande flyktingarnas mående. Det upplevdes finnas goda möjligheter kopplade till integration av flyktingar genom hästar och stallmiljö. Dessa möjligheter berörde inte enbart ökade förutsättningar för hälsa hos flyktingar, utan kunde även kopplas till en utveckling hos andra ungdomar och medlemmar i föreningen. Studien tyder på att hästar och stallmiljö torde kunna stödja integrationsprocessen hos flyktingar på liknande sätt som lagsporter, samtidigt som stallets unika miljö bringar ytterligare fördelar i form av exempelvis trygghet och vänskapligt stöd från hästen. / Inequalities in health can be due to several reasons, including the degree of involvement and influence in the society. One group of people commonly isolated from society is refugees, whose adaption to the new country can be stressful. Meanwhile, they often suffer from psychological, physical and social difficulties. Therefore, interventions to facilitate the integration process and creating conditions to a satisfying and healthy life in the new society are required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementers perceptions of working with the refugee integration projects implemented by Salaortens Ryttarförening. A qualitative method was used to answer the purpose, and data was collected by the use of six semi structured interviews. The collected data was analyzed with a manifest qualitative content analysis. Results showed that the refugee integration project had generated several positive effects related to the wellbeing of the refugees. It was perceived that good possibilities related to integration could be achieved through interaction with horses and being in a stable. These possibilities did not only affect the refugees through improved health conditions, but also affected the adolescents, and other members of Salaortens Ryttarförening. The study indicates that involvement with horses and the the environment regarding stables should support the integration process regarding refugees, similar to team sports. Meanwhile the unique environment of the stable can bring further benefits like a sense of security and friendly support from the horse.

Richmond, Virginia is defined by our connection to the James River. The James River Park system stretches over 550 acres of natural beauty. The park is broken into 14 different sections from the Huguenot Bridge in the west to a half mile beyond the I-95 Bridge in the east. The James River includes water features that appeal to the young and curious to the most experienced river-adventurer. The James River Park System boasts idyllic shorelines, peaceful meadows, and miles of challenging hiking and biking trails that appeal to the community and guests alike. Every year thousands of people come to Richmond for activities and events like the XTerra Races, Dominion RiverRock, the Folk Festival and many more. Amazingly, at this time, there are no convenient downtown or riverfront facilities to allow locals and guests of Richmond to interact with the James River Park system. With use of the Pattern Building at Tredegar Iron Works, this project will combine the ideas of biophilia, and eco-tourism to design a boutique hotel that will cater to outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to guest suites, this boutique hotel will offer an outdoor recreation rental, retail and repair facility that will offer bikes, kayaks, tubes, paddle-boards, climbing equipment and other essentials for outdoor exploration. A small cafe will offer healthy, locally sourced, farm to table snack and drink options. Both indoor and outdoor seating areas and/or lounges will be available for relaxation. The outdoor patio will feature an interactive garden and give guests a place to enjoy scenic views, practice yoga, meditate and relax. In addition this space could be rented to host special events. The term Biophilia was first used by a German-born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness (1973), which described the term as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive”. Later the term was used by American biologist Edward O. Wilson in his work Biophilia (1984), that proposed that humans tendency to focus and affiliate with nature and other life-forms has a genetic basis. Humans biologically gravitate toward the rich and diverse shapes, colors and life that exists in the natural world. As we are drawn to the natural world, we also benefit from it. Nature nurtures us and has a positive effect on our health, well-being and happiness. Research led by Yoshifumi Miyazaki at Chiba University sent 84 subjects to stroll in seven different forests, while the same number of people walked city centers. Overall, those who spent time in the forest, showed a 16% decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, a 2% drop in blood pressure, and a 4% drop in heart rate. Although we spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, those interior environments often do not reflect the characteristics of nature, trigger a positive emotional response, and are not often designed in a sustainable manner. Too often, our surroundings are designed in a way that deteriorate the environment and separate us from the natural world. The built environment of this project will emphasize the human need for contact with nature that is good for physical, emotional and physiological benefit and satisfaction. While Eco-Tourism is not a new concept the popularity of Eco-tourism increased in the 1980’s when large scale educational efforts by the government touted the benefits of conserving and protecting the environment and planet. Eco-Tourism is a piece of the “Green Movement” (scientific, social and political movement addressing environmental issues) but since there has been an increase in information about how people are negatively impacting the planet. The travel industry has been considered a strong influence and a demand for green hotels, restaurants and transportation is on the rise. Eco-Tourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. Tourism often comes with its footprint on the environment. Tourism and hospitality must be sustainable. How can we still enjoy the natural wonders of the world yet minimize our impact? By exploring the concepts of Eco-tourism this project will reflect a positive environment and educate visitors on how to make their own changes. Guests will be encouraged to interact with the natural wonders of Richmond in a low impact manner, so that it may remain for others to enjoy. Research begins by understanding terms like sustainability, Eco-tourism and biophilic design and continues by researching and experiencing examples of them. By studying cases like Frank Lloyd Wrights project “Falling Water” and Mies van der Rohe’s project “Farnworth House,” understanding of a unique connection to the organic environment can occur. By studying Swedish architects Martin Videgard and Bolle Thams project “Tree Hotel” ways to incorporate travel with nature will be discovered. Finally by studying Agence Ter’s project the “Pudong Left Bank” in Shanghai inspiration on how to encourage a city to interact with its natural environment will occur. The goal of this project is to understand the relationship between human and nature and how it can be controlled and how we can benefit from an Interior Environment.

Alternating traditional classroom-based teaching techniques with hands-on learning activities outdoors is beneficial for children of all ages. The purpose of this thesis was to explore whether and how teachers may negotiate the constraints to facilitating hands-on learning opportunities outdoors. A snowball sample was used to identify twelve outdoor educators for semi-structured interviews documenting their characteristics, skills and experiences, perceptions of the constraints to outdoor education and recommendations for building interest in and supporting outdoor education. The findings suggested that participants’ childhood experiences outdoors were influential on their decisions to start teaching outdoor education, and that the participants’ perceptions of the constraints varied dependent on their experiences, objectives and attitudes. The participants’ recommendations were focused on what teachers could do to help themselves and each other to succeed. Altogether, the participants’ experiences suggest that passionate and engaged outdoor educators can have a lasting impact on students’ relationships with the natural world. / October 2016

Research suggests that interacting with nature has positive psychological, physiological, and cognitive benefits. Views to nature, interacting with nature, and other visual nature stimuli have been widely studied. However, nature soundscapes have received less attention; and the limited research that has been published has mixed findings. The present study assessed whether nature soundscapes influenced performance on cognitive and affective assessments. Participants completed the Flanker task, the Stroop task, a Visual Search task, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, while exposed to either nature sounds alone, nature sounds with outdoor views, or neither. No statistically significant differences in performance were found for any of the three conditions, on either the cognitive and affective assessments. These findings indicate that the relation between nature sounds and cognition is more complex than originally presumed, and potential future directions are discussed. / Graduate / 2020-04-11