TOP 12 BIOPHILIC DESIGN RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS IN 2024
Research on biophilic design supports evidence-based solutions to nurture our collective health. As 2024 ends, we are grateful for all people who dedicate their work towards growing biophilic design. Here is a selected list of top 12 publications of 2024 that exemplify connections between biophilic design and well-being:
1.“Constructing Health. How the Built Environment Enhances Your Mind’s Health.” by T Farrow (https://utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487557225)
How do the spaces around us shape our emotions? How can we design them to nurture our well-being?
The science of architecture and neuroscience is converging to reveal fascinating insights into the profound connection between our minds and the built environments we inhabit. At this crossroads, the book Constructing Health delves into how our sensory systems respond to design—sometimes supporting, other times detracting from our mental and physical health.
Tye Farrow, a globally acclaimed architect, brings his expertise to explore how intentional design can foster health-focused, person-to-place relationships as meaningful as our person-to-person connections. By integrating discoveries from neuroscience and cognitive psychology, Farrow outlines measurable design qualities that enhance well-being—bridging the gap between medical knowledge and the design community.
This visually engaging book doesn’t just focus on aesthetics. It shows how intentional design can empower us to lead healthier lives, reduce stress, and boost cognitive and emotional health. From homes to schools and cities, Farrow demonstrates how thoughtful spaces can enrich human performance while minimizing environmental impact.
Ultimately, Constructing Health illuminates the transformative role of architecture in shaping environments that sustain and improve our well-being—an urgent exploration for a world increasingly aware of the health benefits of intentional, nature-inspired spaces.
2. “14+ Patterns of Biophilic Design. Improving Health and Well-being in the Built Environment” by Browning at al (https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/14-patterns/)
Biophilic design is a transformative approach to how we shape spaces. By reducing stress, boosting creativity, sharpening mental clarity, and expediting healing, biophilic principles address the growing need for well-being in an urbanizing world. Over decades, theorists, scientists, and designers have identified the natural elements that most profoundly impact our satisfaction with built environments.
The 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design serves as a cornerstone in this field, linking human biology to the built world. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the latest edition includes a new and powerful addition: the pattern of Awe. This fresh perspective highlights how unique spatial conditions can evoke wonder and promote health outcomes.
Organized into three key sections, the publication bridges theory and application. Biophilia in Context explores the evolution of biophilic design, framing it within human biology and nature. Design Considerations delves into variables like scale, climate, and demographics that influence design choices—offering insights into why some interventions succeed universally while others remain context-specific. Finally, The Patterns provides actionable guidance, from the science behind each pattern to strategies for incorporating them effectively.
This work pushes biophilic design forward, emphasizing its potential to create environments that improve health and foster well-being—both for individuals and communities.
3. “The Influence of Exposure to Nature on Inpatient Hospital Stays: A Scoping Review” by Guidolin et al (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19375867231221559)
The researchers from the University of Toronto analyzed 41 studies focused on effects of “a real natural scene through a window, presence of a window/nature light, nature in the healthcare environment, art depicting nature, direct contact with nature, nature soundscapes, and nature experienced through virtual reality (VR)” during hospitalization. Based on this scoping review, the authorsconclude that “Exposure to nature during an acute hospital admission appears to have a real but small therapeutic effect, predominantly on psychological metrics like anxiety/depression, pain, and patient satisfaction.”
4. “Biophilic School Design for Health and Wellbeing” multiple authors and groups, a collection of 8 papers published in the journal Architecture (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/architecture/special_issues/QR208XZG01)
Examples of two research articles published in this Special Issue of the journal ARCHITECTURE are:
“Toolkit of Biophilic Interventions for Existing Schools to Enhance Student and Faculty Health and Performance” from the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University
"Teacher and Parent Perception of Biophilic Conditions in Primary-School Environments and Their Impact on Children’s Wellbeing” from the Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, at University College London.
In the first article, the authors describe biophilic retrofits for K-12 schools by creating a 42-card design toolkit. These cards describe (1) diverse ways to incorporate visual and multisensory connections with nature, (2) research evidence on the benefits of specific design elements, and (3) alignment with national certifications and standards for the built environment, e.g. WELL, LEED, Terrapin Bright Green’s and Kellert’s Biophilic Design Principles.
The researchers tested their designs with respect to both positive impact and affordability among teachers, school administrators and parents, by using the card sorting game. The authors reported that: “Based on the results of the survey, these eight strategies could be prioritized for K-12 school retrofit planning and designs in order to affordably create more beautiful and impactful spaces for students and teachers—Sunlight, Nature Educational Content, Circadian Daylight, Fragrant Flowers and Herbs, Outdoor Eating Spaces, Clear Glass Windows in the Classroom, Washed Windows in the Classroom, and Plants in the Classroom.”
In the second article, the authors describe a framework to evaluate biophilic features in school environments and perceptions of teachers and parents towards biophilic features. The researchers selected diverse biophilic attributes, such as natural light, natural materials, plants, prospect, refuge and many others, and provided three-level criteria to evaluate these features in schools. This framework was used to quantify and compare biophilic attributes in two primary schools in the UK. The surveys of teachers and parents associated with these schools were used to evaluate perceived impact of biophilic features on students.
5. “A systematic review of the impact of therapeutic biophilic design on health and wellbeing of patients and care providers in healthcare services settings” by Al Khatib et al (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/built-environment/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1467692/full)
The main goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes of sustainable therapeutic environments and biophilic design in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Based on reviewing 63 relevant references, biophilic design and nature-based interventions were reported to: “reduce stress, enhance patient recovery”, “improve cognitive function, emotional health”, “enhance well-being”, and “improve mental health, productivity”, to cite a few examples.
Here is how the authors summarize their findings: “The results show that biophilic design in hospitals reduces hospitalization time, patient mortality, pain levels, and stress for healthcare providers. It alleviates anxiety, improves experiences for patients, families, and staff, reduces patient harm, and supports faster recovery.”
This review article is important for interior designers and architects, since it supports claims that judiciously designed spaces can improve physical and mental health. It is also important for doctors, nurses and all people working in hospitals and outpatient clinics – since the health benefits are of equal importance for patients and healthcare professionals.
6. “Nature-Based Design in Stroke Rehabilitation Environments: A Scoping Review” by Seale et al (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19375867241251832)
The physical environment of stroke rehabilitation facilities can significantly influence recovery outcomes, yet evidence supporting effective design strategies remains limited. This scoping review examines existing knowledge on nature-based design in these settings, exploring its potential benefits and identifying research gaps. A systematic search of six databases yielded 28 studies, with diverse aims and methodologies. Most studies investigated gardens and outdoor environments, while others focused on indoor nature integration, natural analogues, and connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Findings suggest that nature-based design positively impacts brain recovery and patient engagement, though the evidence base is fragmented. This review introduces a framework for mapping knowledge on the intentions and impacts of nature-based spaces in rehabilitation environments, offering a tool for future research and application. Significant gaps remain, emphasizing the need for further studies to establish evidence-based design principles for stroke rehabilitation facilities. This work highlights the potential of nature-based design to enhance recovery and inform broader healthcare design practices.
7. “Beneficial effects of short-term exposure to indoor biophilic environments on psychophysiological health: Evidence from electrophysiological activity and salivary metabolomics” by Li et al (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935123026476?via%3Dihub)
This research study was published in Environmental Research (doi 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117843). Scientists from the Beihang University designed a randomized controlled experiment to investigate how people respond to 1-hr sitting in a small biophilic space (a room decorated with a dozen vicks plant pots arranged on shelves to create a “green wall” visual. In the control group, people were exposed to “empty” shelves.
Note that vicks plants have a distinct scent, so this study examined visual and olfactory stimuli that can be experienced with an aromatic mini-garden at home.
The authors wrote: “… the present study found that short-term exposure to the indoor biophilic environment contributed to psychological and physiological relaxation as evidenced by 1) negative emotions such as tension and fatigue were significantly reduced, while positive emotion (vigor) was significantly improved; 2) the alpha brainwave power was significantly increased, and heart rate and SCL related to ANS activity were significantly decreased; and 3) salivary cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly reduced. “
In conclusion, biophilic design continues to benefit from research evidence on positive impact of natural environments on people’s physiological functions and health.
8. “Architectural Neuroimmunology: A Pilot Study Examining the Impact of Biophilic Architectural Design on Neuroinflammation” by Valentine et al (https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/5/1292)
Emerging research in architectural neuroscience indicates that visual exposure to biophilic design can help reduce physiological stress, yet much remains unknown about how such designs influence neurophysiology. In particular, the connection between biophilic design and neuroinflammation has not been directly studied. This paper presents findings from a pilot study exploring how visual exposure to biophilic design affects neuroinflammatory activity, mediated through physiological stress responses.
The study utilized a 32-channel quantitative electroencephalograph (qEEG) to measure changes in neuroinflammatory markers—relative alpha and delta power band activity—in 10 participants exposed to 2D digital images of buildings with varying levels of biophilic design. Results showed a reduction in relative delta power when participants viewed images with higher degrees of biophilia, suggesting decreased neuroinflammatory activity. However, no significant changes were observed in relative alpha power.
These findings highlight the potential of biophilic design to mitigate neuroinflammatory responses, contributing to a deeper understanding of how built environments can influence occupant stress and neurophysiological health.
9. “Effect of nature on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents: meta-review” by Lomax et al (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11536187/)
As urbanization accelerates globally, mental health challenges are on the rise, prompting increased interest in the role of nature in promoting mental health and well-being. This meta-review examines how nature is defined, the characteristics of nature-based interventions, the mental health and well-being outcomes measured, and the evidence supporting nature's impact on children and adolescents.
A systematic search of three databases identified 16 systematic reviews, two scoping reviews, and five high-quality cohort studies that met inclusion criteria focused on children and adolescents. Nature was categorized along a continuum in the "nature research framework" into human-designed environments with natural elements, human-designed natural environments, and natural environments. The "nature intervention framework" outlined three intervention areas: access to, exposure to, and engagement with nature, emphasizing the relevance of both quantity and quality of nature. Mental health and well-being outcomes ranged from clinical disorders to general well-being on a continuum.
Findings suggest that nature has a positive effect on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents, although confidence in these results is limited due to study heterogeneity and gaps in evidence. Notably, research on clinical populations, ethnically diverse groups, and individuals in low- and middle-income countries remains sparse. These findings highlight the need for more robust, diverse research to clarify the relationship between nature and mental health outcomes in young populations.
10. “Impact of biophilic design on college student perception of mental health and environmental benefits: A dose-response study” by Li et al (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132324011600?via%3Dihub)
This study explored how integrating plants into university classrooms affects students' perceptions of air quality, productivity, and well-being. Using a quasi-experimental design, researchers compared two classrooms: a Biophilic Classroom (BC), where 50 plants were introduced in Week 4, increased to 100 plants in Week 10, and removed in Week 14, and a Comparison Classroom (CC) with no plants. Surveys assessed students' perceptions of stress, cognitive performance, productivity, indoor environmental quality, air freshness, and nature connectedness. Indoor air quality (IAQ) was continuously monitored.
Findings revealed that the BC students experienced significant improvements in perceived environmental quality, air freshness, and productivity after the initial introduction of 50 plants (e.g., productivity: Week 7: 3.33 vs. 2.91, p<.01). However, doubling the number of plants did not yield additional benefits. Objective IAQ parameters remained unchanged, and no significant differences were observed in cognitive performance, stress, or sleepiness between the classrooms.
These results suggest that a modest addition of plants can enhance perceived classroom conditions and productivity, highlighting the psychological benefits of biophilic design in learning spaces. However, increasing plant density may not amplify these effects, and measurable IAQ improvements remain elusive. This study underscores the value of thoughtfully incorporating greenery into educational environments for fostering a sense of well-being and productivity.
11. “Enablers for accelerating biophilic design adoption in Australian buildings” by Sadik et al (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710224000317?via%3Dihub)
Biophilic design elements, such as green roofs and living walls, offer significant benefits for occupant well-being and urban ecological resilience. While these principles are increasingly embraced in many developed countries, their adoption in Australia remains limited. This study identifies strategies to advance biophilic design integration into Australian buildings, leveraging insights from semi-structured interviews with 24 architects and building sustainability consultants.
The analysis, combining manual and natural language processing methods, uncovered nine key strategies for fostering biophilic adoption. These include integrating biophilic design into architectural and sustainability education, enhancing building codes to mandate minimum biophilic features, showcasing business advantages to clients, embedding biophilic design as a core organizational value, and disseminating cost-effective practices for using local vegetation. A proposed framework maps the interactions between macro and micro enablers, emphasizing the combined influence of regulatory, educational, and organizational factors.
The findings provide actionable recommendations for governments, design organizations, and professionals, highlighting opportunities to reform building design education, improve sustainability rating systems, and promote widespread biophilic design adoption in Australia. By addressing these gaps, the study offers a pathway to integrate nature more meaningfully into urban environments, benefiting both individuals and ecosystems.
12. “Investigating restorative effects of biophilic design in workplaces: a systematic review” by Yildirim et al (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17508975.2024.2306273).
In this systematic review article, the authors from the University of Sydney analyzed 74 research articles to answer the following three questions: (1) What type of biophilic design patterns have been studied in workplaces? (2) What are the evidence-based restorative benefits of biophilic design implementations in a workplace for its employees?, and (3) What are the effect sizes of each individual biophilic design pattern on employees in workplaces?
Some of the finding are:
1. “Indoor plants were effective at reducing stress levels and improving cognitive performance, mood, health, and well-being in workplace settings.”
2. “Viewing nature through workplace windows during brief micro-breaks or lunch breaks had significantly beneficial effects, particularly on the cognitive performance of employees.”
3. “Daylight had dramatic impacts on circadian rhythm and cognitive performance.”
4. “Viewing simulated nature in the forms of images and videos through paintings, screens, or projectors relieved stress and boosted cognitive performance.”
The authors conclude that “biophilic design can yield significant psychological, physiological, and cognitive benefits in the workplace.”
This is not a comprehensive list of published biophilic design research in 2024, but we hope it captures examples of work-in-progress.
We thank everyone who shares passion for biophilic design research. May 2025 bring more awareness about the health benefits of nature-based solutions. Happy New Year!
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