Development of Biophilic Design Concept for Educational Spaces

Abstract: 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.