Sulaimani Journal for Engineering Sciences (SJES)

Impact of Connection with Nature on Users’ Satisfaction in Architecture Design Studios

1, a Lara Dler Basheer 2, b Mahmood Ahmed Khayat

a Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Salaheddin University, Erbil , Iraq

b University of Kurdistan - Hewler / Architectural Engineering and Sustainability Program Director

Abstract

This paper attempts to investigate the effect of visual and non-visual connection with nature of biophilic design patterns on users’ satisfaction in the architectural design studios. The study proposes how the availability of biophilic design patterns in interior spaces reflects on the user’s satisfaction level focusing on the patterns that related to connection with nature, as they spend long hours in these interior spaces according to their curriculums. The study data was collected from seven target universities from different cities in KRI, each with specific climates and design criteria. The data tool was a survey questionnaire distributed among 355 participants in separate design studios with different groups of students to achieve accuracy and reliability in the results. The results showed a direct relation between the presence of nature (visually and non-visually) and students’ satisfaction, and the following results were obtained in comparison with the study hypothesis: The one-way ANOVA statistical results showed that users were not satisfied with visual connection with nature, particularly indoor-outdoor connection, on the other hand, the satisfaction level for non-visual connection was poor as there were very limited resources to pursue this parameter. Thus, the study has concluded that the adoption of Biophilic design patterns should be taken more seriously in the future to achieve higher levels of user satisfaction. This case study allows appreciating the importance of connection with nature in affecting satisfaction level and strengthening the affiliation with nature.

Keywords:

Biophilic, design, nature, design studio, architecture, satisfaction.

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