Promoting students’ well-being indicators through adapting biophilic design attributes in Salahaddin University dormitories

Abstract

Due to its positive impact on human psychophysiological indicators, biophilic design can be implemented in various built environments. This design approach can be used when the connection to natural elements is limited and when the occupants feel stressed and uncomfortable in a specific space. Purposes: This research aims to investigate promoting Students’ well-being indicators through adapting biophilic design attributes in Salahaddin University dormitories Subjects: a cross-sectional field experiment conducted with 39 University students. Design: The participants experienced one of the two simulated rooms by using a virtual reality headset (VR). The first was a biophilic design room BDR based on the adopted BDAs, and the second was a non-biophilic design room NBDR. Besides, all participants performed a stress induction task SIT. Measures: Participants‘ physiological indicators were measured twice, one before and the other after the experiment. Measures included heart rate HR, Systolic blood pressure SBP, and diastolic blood pressure DBP. Result: Paired-sample T-test was used to compare the mean of physiological indicators. The P-values of physiological indicators were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study provided statistical evidence that BDAs can provide a restorative environment that positively affects human psychophysiology indicators, and NBDR provides a more stressful environment. VR is a powerful research tool if an empirical experiment and time/cost limit are allowed.