Effects of biophilic design on hygrothermal environment and human sensation in a large artificial garden of a public building

Abstract

Biophilic design is aimed at creating a good habitat for people by enhancing the connectedness between people and nature in the urban environment; its effects on promoting psychological health are well known, but further studies are required to quantify the effects on physical and physiological aspects to provide a holistic view to support design practice. In this study, we focused on the physical aspect and quantitatively analyzed the effects of biophilic design on the thermal environment and occupants' thermal sensations. Field measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted at a multifloor indoor garden in a public building in Kumamoto, Japan, with an artificial waterfall, pond, plants, and natural light as biophilic elements. Predicted mean vote was calculated using field measurement results as an objective indicator to assess thermal comfort. Questionnaires were used to verify the psychological effects and clarify the occupants' thermal sensations by comparing with field measurement results. The effects of the waterfall were studied when it was switched on and off. The results suggest the rationality behind incorporating biophilic design inside buildings, in terms of the physical aspect, highlighting the psychological effectiveness, especially during winter, and the benefits of thermal comfort, especially during summer.