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7. CONNECTION WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS

PATTERNS

ENVIRONMENTAL
  • INCREASED Preference (1-5)
  • INCREASED Place Attachment (2)
  • POSITIVELY Impacted Attitude (1,3)
  • INCREASED Feelings of Well-Being (1)
EMOTIONAL
INTELLECTUAL
  • IMPROVED Mental Engagement (5)
PHYSICAL
  • DECREASED Pain Medication Consumption (4)

WELL-BEING BENEFITS

(1) Friedman et al., 2008; (2) Kellert, 2008; (3) Ulrich, 1984; (4) Walch et al., 2005; (5) Windhager et al., 2011

“...the cognitive richness of the natural world reflects its likely being the most intellectually challenging environment people will ever encounter even in our modern information age.”                                                                               - Stephen Kellert 

The Basics

THE BASICS

A connection to natural systems works to foster a positive experience and relationship with nature as well as a relationship with place.

 

This strategy works to address the goal of environmental stewardship in biophilic design. Strong connections can be made working with other strategies, especially naturally occurring ones that consider the interaction of the senses. Examples are shown below for nature connections to these systems, but also refer to Visual Connection with Nature and Non-Visual Sensory Experience of Nature.

Skip to Image Examples
NATURE CONNECTIONS
NATURE RESPRESENTATIONS
  • Simulated Circadian Lighting
  • Exposure to Water Infrastructure
  • Use of natural and local materials
Adapted from: Browning, Ryan, Clancy, 2014
Weather Changes

WEATHER CHANGES

All Photo Credits: Nicole Craanen

Seasonal Changes

SEASONAL CHANGES

All Photo Credits: Nicole Craanen

Changes in Light

CHANGES IN LIGHT

Photo Credits: See Individiual Images

Local Landscape

LOCAL LANDSCAPE

All Photo Credits: Nicole Craanen

CONNECTION THROUGH ACCESS

Connection through Access

All Photo Credits: Nicole Craanen

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Animal Behavior

All Photo Credits: Nicole Craanen

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