Enhancing Citizens’ Perceived Restoration Potential of Green Facades through Specific Architectural Attributes

Abstract

Research on restorative environments has suggested green facades as a promising model for natural spaces in urban and densely populated areas. However, the impact of architectural design attributes of green building facades on perceived restoration potential is insufficiently researched. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between architectural design attributes of green building facades and perceived restoration potential. A discrete choice experiment was used. First, seven architectural design attributes (Value, Symmetry, Material, Balcony, Variety, Configuration, and Shape) were identified based on the Content Identifying Method. In the next step, a sample of 204 participants randomly selected a block and evaluated the perceived restoration potential of six pairs of designed images of different green facade scenarios based on the seven architectural design attributes. The results showed that low diversity in greenery was associated with greater influence, and people chose asymmetric greenery more often. Horizontal and scattered greenery was preferred over vertical and concentrated greenery, which had no significant effect on perceived restoration potential. Stone and cement used in green facades were the most influential factors in perceived restoration potential. These findings can aid designers in designing the green facade of residential buildings to increase perceived restoration potential.

Keywords

• biophilic design
• mental health
• restorative environment
• mental fatigue
• stress reduction
• attention fatigue