Idag växer många barn i Sverigeupp i städer och förorter utannågot större kontakt naturen i sinvardag, något som kan bidra tillatt den upplevs som en avlägsenoch skrämmande plats. Våramoderna städer har mycket atterbjuda, men något som inte gåratt förneka är den distanseringtill naturen som skett i takt medurbaniseringen. (Kellert, 2005) Deflesta barn spenderar en stor delav sin dag i förskolan, att utformadess lokaler för att underlätta enstörre väder-beroende flexibilitetoch bidra till en större kontaktmed omgivande natur kan därförfå stora positiva effekter. Förskolansarkitektur kan spela en nyckelrolli grundläggandet av ecocentrisklivssyn. Syftet med detta examensarbeteär att ifrågasätta hur inom- ochutomhusmiljöer i förskolor kanbrukas i relation till väderförhållandenoch till förskolans dagligapedagogiska aktiviteter. Därfokus har lagts på aktiviteternaäta, skapa och lärarledd samvaro.Målet för arbetet är vidare attskapa en konceptuell arkitektoniskutformning som kan bidra tillen starkare kontakt med natureni förskolans verksamhet. Ett viktigtmål är även att belysa frågan omhur vi utformar våra förskolor ochöppna för diskussion. Metodiken för examensarbetethar genomförts enligt teorier förresearch-through-design. Fallstudieri form av intervjuer och egnaobservationer har genomförts påtvå förskolor i Göteborg, den kommunalaförskolan Bergartgatan 1och Ur & Skur förskolan Utsikten. Begränsningar och möjligheter förförskolornas rumsligheter i relationtill naturen och dagliga aktiviteterframkomna i förstudien kartläggs ien syntes. Syntesen lyfter fram 16stycken sammansatta slutsatseratt ligga till grund för gestaltningen,dessa finns att läsa i sin helhetpå sida 77. Ett konceptuellt gestaltningsförslagmed grund i den framtagnasyntesen samt Göteborgs Stadslokalprogram för förskolan tasfram på tomten Skolspåret 2 iHjällbo, Göteborg. Resultatet avgestaltningen är att betrakta somett tidigt skede och utgör inte enfärdig handling. Gestaltningsförslagetuppnår syftet att överbryggagapet mellan teori och praktikför framtagen syntes. Gestaltningenbör förhållas till som endast ettexempel på ett lösningsförslag dådesigndriven forskning bör ledatill en konkretisering av kunskapsom är applicerbar i ett vidareperspektiv än en platsspecifiklösning. (Lenzholzer, Duchhart, &van der Brink, 2013)

Architecture is known to gather people and encourage shared spaces in our buildings and homes, while the Corona virus, aka COVID-19 has refrained us from our usual face to face communication and meetups. For some, work and social life has been reduced and limited to a screen, virtual meetings for studies, work, social events and so forth. Architecture has its impact on us more than ever before. It can and should provide us safety, infection control and prevention from getting sick. The materials we choose to design our home with is also crucial in a pandemic situation as we should be looking for disinfectant material properties. Copper have been shown to perform better than other common materials like steel, plastic, and wood. Air circulation and ventilation in inner spaces will also have stricter requirements where the air should be changed every hour and checking the air quality – that could be improved with the ratio of greenery and open spaces. Designing a home that can stimulate the productivity, flexibility, comfort, happiness, and health in its dwellers is the ultimate goal for this study. The target audience for the thesis are architects, interior designers and laymen who are interested in this field or those that are seeking a design which promotes healthy, safe and adequate living spaces and homes. The methods used in this study where both quantitative and qualitative methods through an international online survey as well as conducting local interviews with residential buildings’ dwellers in Berlin. On one hand, poor design can lead to both higher expenses in the long term as well as leading to bad physical and mental health, which is felt through the responses from both the survey and interviews. The biophilic design on the other hand, can have a huge positive impact on the dwellers both physically and mentally and should be tested and used more as a solid base for designing interior spaces.

Music listening has experienced one of its major paradigm shifts in this latest generation, taking the step from analogue media into the digital sphere. Today a human can reduce stress levels by limiting noise and disturbances to shut away unwanted impressions, to find peace and tranquility or strength and courage. We as people find various ways of coping with the enormous mass of interactions we come by in modern society, as life in the 21’st century city is a far cry from our humble origins in caves and smaller villages. Through these mazes of the urban jungle we move like waves, opting most often for the path of least resistance, alike that of a dance or the wings of a bird in flight. This motion has caught the fascination of many artists whom have sought to illustrate their dimensional character, the fleeting beauty caught in that of a moment. A beautiful noise of the ocean swell that offer an escape from intrusive thoughts or the hum of a river, the circle of life in a stream of audiovisual harmony. Looking to examples of succesful musical education centres and how multi-purpose venues can blur boundaries so that more inhabitants can enjoy the wonders of live music . What lies ahead for shared musical experiences within public spaces now that we are rather more safe and sound than earlier in history? How will the digital generation change music at a fundemental level?           The thesis like the appended preparatory report tries to grip and understand through a transdisciplinary research method in what ways acoustical spaces in general and concert halls in particular can be designed in such a way as to enhance the experience of sound and nature. The human mind is an exceedingly complex machine that we still do not fully grasp but research finds more links between these cultural and creative parts of the brain, helping us as architects and urban planners make more grounded design decisions.

This dissertation investigates the effects of multisensory biophilic restorative experiences on how engineers feel, think, and design. While previous research on the restorative effects of biophilic experiences have mostly focused on the benefits of visual exposure, less is known about the potential of exposure to auditory and multisensory stimuli. Moreover, a knowledge gap exists in regards to how the cognitive benefits of biophilic restorative experiences influence performance in real-world cognitive tasks, like design. To address the identified knowledge gaps, a randomized controlled trial with 154 participants was conducted, exploring the restorative effects of biophilic auditory, visual, and multisensory (auditory + visual) experiences after induced psychosocial stress. To assess the potential influence on the performance of a real-world cognitive tasks, an open-ended design task was given to participants following the exposure period. Dependent variables tracked covered three key domains of the research question: (1) psychological and physiological responses (feel), (2) neurocognitive responses (think), and (3) design originality and incorporation of biophilia (design). Results showed that the biophilic auditory experience induced higher physiological arousal during and after exposure, while the visual and multisensory conditions presented evidence of increased neural efficiency. The biophilic conditions assisted in restoring cognitive resources and improved prefrontal cortical functional connectivity, specifically within main hubs of the Default Mode Network (DMN). However, better engagement of the DMN did not result in more original design products. No significant differences were found for exploration of the design space across conditions. Interestingly, the visual group incorporated significantly more biophilic design patterns, such as "Visual Connection with Nature" and "Presence of Water", in their design concepts. This finding suggests a potential priming effect, where exposure to biophilic stimuli influenced designers' choices towards more nature-connected ideas. The study here presented contributes to the understanding of biophilic restorative experiences' nuanced effects on physiology, neurocognition, and design cognition. Accessibility and availability of the interventions tested affords readily replication of the experiment design and application of findings to the general public. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation explores how exposure to simulated nature experiences through different senses affects how engineers feel, think, and design. Two main environmental psychology theories propose that nature experiences can aid in the recovery from stressful states and mental fatigue. The Kaplans' Attention Restoration Theory suggests that looking at nature can help the brain recover from overuse by allowing it to restore attentional resources. Roger Ulrich's Stress Reduction Theory proposes that nature experiences can reduce stress by calming the body and the mind. While previous studies have mainly explored the effects of exposure to nature through visual experiences, the study presented here examines the effects of exposure to nature-based sounds (birdsong and water sounds), as well as exposure to the combination of sounds and visuals (indoor plants, nature-inspired art, and daylight). Additionally, it investigates how the potential benefits to the brain and mind influence performance in real-world tasks like designing. To explore these effects, 154 engineering students were randomly assigned to different groups and exposed to nature sounds, nature visuals, or a combination of both, after being induced to a stressful state. After the exposure period, participants were given an open-ended design task. Throughout the experiment, participants' bodily responses were tracked by a wrist-worn device and participants' brain activity was tracked by a brain-imaging headset. Design concepts produced in the design task were assessed for originality and for the incorporation of nature-inspired ideas. Results showed that listening to nature sounds increased arousal of the body both during and after the exposure period. Visual, as well as combined auditory and visual exposure improved brain efficiency. All nature experiences helped restore mental resources and improved brain connectivity, particularly in areas associated with mind wandering. Although better brain connectivity did not result in more original design concepts, interestingly, participants in the visual exposure group incorporated more nature-related features, like bodies of water and natural views, into their designs. This finding suggests that seeing nature might inspire more nature-connected design ideas. This study enhances our understanding of how nature experiences affect the body, brain, and mind. The interventions tested can be easily replicated and applied in everyday settings so that anyone can benefit off of their outcomes.

Public urban green spaces are crucial parts of cities due to the many connections existing between urban greenery and well-being. Additionally, public urban green space represents a wide range of spatial concepts, such as parks, urban forests, commons, in-between-spaces, and gardens. This study explores challenges for contemporary public urban green space in an increasingly urban world, with high demands on urban growth, and simultaneously the need for more sustainable societies and cities. The aim is to problematize the complex reality for contemporary public urban green space from an urban planning perspective in times of urban densification strategies, global competitiveness between cities and trends of ‘re-naturing’.   The scope of this thesis is based on four high profile case studies. The Green Walkable City in Stockholm and The Green Living Spaces in Birmingham constitute planning strategies with a holistic approach to urban green space, including a strong focus on well-being. The High Line in New York and Parklets in San Francisco represent urban green space concepts, influential both at the local level and in the larger urban planning debate. The results point to a need to acknowledge the complexity inherent to urban green space provision, design, and management. This study contributes with insights of direct connections between narratives of nature, materialized urban greenery projects and conceptualizations of functionality of nature in urban planning projects. From the post-industrial, pristine flirting, crafted wilderness of the High Line; a symbolic but cosmetic scrambling with planters and narratives of parks of parklets; dualistic argumentations of natural values connected to quality over quantity of nature in a densifying and growing Stockholm; to pragmatic yet emotional and ambitious conceptualizations of human nature in biohilic urbanism and green space planning in Birmingham. Gentrification, publicness and production of public space and densification strategies are central themes in urban studies – and public urban green space can play an active role in these processes. / <p>QC 20160518</p>

According to Duxbury and Higgins 57% of full time employees reported high levels of stress. Stress is impacting the productivity, health and well-being of individuals, and the bottom line of employers. A growing body of evidence suggests exposure to nature, nature-based features, and biophilic design may offer a solution to reducing stress in the office workplace. This thesis brings together a comprehensive body of information drawn from the neurosciences and environmental psychology, including attention restoration theory (ART), psycho-evolutionary theory, Kellert’s biophilic design elements, and seven case studies, to propose key nature-based interior design strategies for stress reduction in office knowledge workers. Providing direct and indirect exposure to nature appears to have the strongest impact on mitigating the stress response. The importance of the integrated design process (IDP), post-occupancy evaluation (POE), and barriers to incorporating biophilia centred design practices are addressed and process strategies proposed. / October 2015

This practicum project is an investigation of the importance of providing a supportive and restorative temporary accommodation facility for breast cancer patients who are traveling from rural areas of Manitoba to receive treatment in Winnipeg. Exploring key areas of restorative and healing design in the literature review allowed for a comprehensive analysis and examination into three main areas. The key themes of restorative design are; Biophilic Design, Theory of Supportive Design, and supportive domestic environments. It is through this exploration of restorative design that a design for the Centre will be proposed.

In a world that is quickly urbanizing with a climate that is rapidly changing, the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Living Community Challenge (LCC) offers a whimsical yet highly relevant model for sustainable development—creating cities that are as connected and beautiful as forests. As no certified Living Community exists yet, this thesis serves as an “uncase study” of North Rainier, a neighborhood in Seattle that has registered for the Challenge. In an effort to assess the LCC’s perceived effectiveness as a model for sustainable development, this thesis first summarizes nearly 400 centuries of U.S. developmental history to give greater context to the current moment and how we can quickly, effectively, and fundamentally transform the built environment to support a more sustainable future. A comparative analysis with EcoDistricts and LEED for Neighborhood Development revealed strengths (i.e., advocacy and capacity building) and weaknesses (i.e., equity and stasis) of predominant urban assessment tools in the U.S. The case study then uses a combination of GIS analysis, community surveys, and semi-structured interviews with members of the neighborhood association overseeing the pursuit of the LCC in North Rainier as well as with staff members at ILFI to assess the LCC’s effectiveness. Environmental health disparities in North Rainier found within the GIS analysis were echoed in the surveys and interviews, which indicated feelings of neglect from the city of Seattle who is occupied with record-setting growth, demonstrates how the LCC can be considered as an “act of optimism” and as a rejection of historically imposed top-down planning. Overall, in theory, several of the LCC’s Petals address many of the systemic issues facing the built environment (i.e., sprawl and dependence on automobiles and fossil fuels). However, despite its vision for a socially just and culturally rich future, the LCC—specifically the Equity Petal—does not offer a guarantee that displacement of low-income and communities of color and/or environmental injustices will not be perpetuated.

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As urbanization encourages more people to stay indoors for longer periods of time, there is an increased need to reconnect with nature, using design as a tool. The concept of biophilic design aims to do just this, by bringing natural elements into human spaces. This industrial design project aims to create a product for educational workspaces that incorporates natural elements in a metaphorical way, so as to try and create a positive perception of such workspaces among humans. The project explores the different ways in which biophilia can be implemented in product design, and the factors and aspects that need to be considered in order to do so.  The project also tests the developed concept using a Virtual Reality setup and a questionnaire, which had 9 respondents. The results from the questionnaire showed that 89% of respondents felt the concept expressed natural elements, and 44% felt ‘Peaceful’ after observing the concept in Virtual Reality. The positive responses from participants indicate that the concept is successful both in incorporating natural elements and in transmitting a positive perception of workspaces where it is used. / Eftersom urbanisering uppmuntrar fler människor att stanna inomhus under längre perioder, finns det ett ökat behov av att återknyta kontakten med naturen med design som ett verktyg. Konceptet med biofil design syftar till att göra just detta, genom att föra in naturliga element i mänskliga utrymmen. Detta industriella designprojekt syftar till att skapa en produkt för pedagogiska arbetsplatser som innehåller naturliga element på ett metaforiskt sätt, för att försöka skapa en positiv uppfattning om sådana arbetsplatser bland människor. Projektet utforskar de olika sätten på vilka biofili kan implementeras i produktdesign, och de faktorer och aspekter som måste beaktas för att göra det. Projektet testar också det utvecklade konceptet med hjälp av en Virtual Reality-uppsättning och ett frågeformulär, som hade 9 respondenter. Resultaten från enkäten visade att 89 % av de tillfrågade ansåg att konceptet uttryckte naturliga element, och 44 % kände sig "fredliga" efter att ha observerat konceptet i Virtual Reality. De positiva svaren från deltagarna indikerar att konceptet är framgångsrikt både när det gäller att införliva naturliga element och att förmedla en positiv uppfattning om arbetsytor där det används